Jtimes
By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
The North East Development Commission (NEDC) has distributed farming inputs to Gombe State Government and the three senators of Gombe North, Gombe Central and Gombe South.
Speaking while handing over the farming inputs in Gombe, the Acting State Coordinator North East Development Commission Gombe State Office Rufa’i Lawan Baba Manu, said the intervention was meant to actualize the presidential initiative to improve food production and ensure food security in Gombe State, North East and Nigeria at large.
He said “You know we intend to boost dry season farming, so our aim is to collaborate with the state government and other stakeholders to see that we support these farmers directly without hindering the process”.
He expressed confidence that the state government under Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya will judiciously ensure that the inputs and chemicals are used accordingly for desired results.
He called on the benefitting farmers to use the gesture as great opportunity to boost activities, assuring that monitoring and evaluation mechanisms are put in place to ensure no input is diverted.
Speaking on behalf of the state government, the representative of the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Mr Jonathan Bulus, and the representative of Senator Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, Senator representing Gombe North Hassan S. Dogarai appreciated NEDC for the intervention, maintaining that the move will complement the state government efforts and that of the senators in ensuring food security in the state.
The Commissioner assured that the farming inputs and agrochemicals will only reach true farmers, maintaining that the measure will go a long way in supporting dry season farmers.
He noted that there are 46 areas developed for this year’s dry season farming across the state.
Bulus added that being an agrarian state, the gesture has come at the right time for Gombe farmers especially dry season farmers, whom he said can equally use the inputs to complement their rainy season farming during droughts.
The farming inputs distributed to the state government include 2000 litres of liquid fertilizer, 1000 litres of liquid urea, 3000 litres of herbicide, and 500 units of water pump machines.
On the other hand, each of the three senators has received 300 litres of liquid NPK fertilizer, 200 litres of urea, 700 litres of herbicide, 100 units of water pump machines and 50 pieces of cooking pots for onward distribution to their constituents.
