…As Subsidized Fertilizer Distribution Begins
By Yunusa Isa, Gombe
The Upper Benue River Basin Development Authority (UBRBDA) has announced a strategic intervention to end the recurring attacks of hippopotamuses on local farmers in the Daɗinkowa Dam of Yamaltu-Deba Local Government Area.
The move comes in response to a surge in hippopotamus sightings that have resulted in the destruction of farmlands and several fatal attacks on farmers and residents.
The Managing Director of the Authority, Dr. Mahmud Sanusi Muhammad, disclosed the plan during the official flag-off of a subsidized fertilizer distribution program designed to boost agricultural productivity in Gombe State.
To mitigate the wildlife threat, Dr. Muhammad stated that the Authority is exploring the provision of dedicated feeds for the hippos far from human cultivation.
“By establishing these alternative food sources, the agency aims to draw the animals away from agricultural zones, ensuring the safety of farmers and the security of their crops”.
In addition to wildlife management, the Managing Director highlighted ongoing efforts to rechannel water canals. This infrastructural improvement is intended to extend water accessibility to more distant farmlands, providing a more robust foundation for year-round irrigation.
The newly appointed Area Manager, Abubakar Muhammad Bello, emphasized that the subsidized fertilizer initiative – a partnership between the Authority and private firms – is vital for national food security.
” Under the current arrangement, farmers pay half the cost upfront, with the balance settled after the harvest in either cash or kind”.
Bello noted that such collaborations are essential, arguing that the public must move beyond total reliance on government funding.
“We must train ourselves for collaborations to build something meaningful,” Bello said. “Considering the increasing nature of our population and needs, government alone cannot serve us the way we want”, he added.
Representatives from the partner companies, Yero Farms and Wababe Integrated Agric Ventures, represented by Alhaji Nasiru Umar, commended the UBRBDA for standing in for the farmers. They urged the beneficiaries to maintain the trust established by ensuring the timely repayment of the credit-based inputs.
The event also featured goodwill messages from various community leaders, including Comrade Musa Umar of the Hina Youth Forum and Alhaji Sadik Shehu, Chairman of the Water Users Association (WUA).
While praising the intervention, the leaders appealed for further support in expanding irrigation canals and improving basic amenities, specifically requesting more reliable portable water and electricity for Daɗinkowa and the neighborhood.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Doris Yakubu, the Women Leader of the WUA, highlighted the significance of gender inclusion in the region’s agriculture.
She noted that women in Daɗinkowa are heavily involved in farming and expressed confidence that the subsidized inputs would significantly improve their yields.
She assured the Authority and its partners of the farmers’ commitment to fulfilling their financial obligations following a successful harvest.