Gombe farmers get FG inputs to mitigate covid-19, flood disaster

The Federal Government (FG) through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) has distributed several inputs to small scale farmers in Gombe state so as to mitigate the impact of covid-19 pandemic of last year cum the flood negative impact on food security.

This was contained in press release made available to journalists from the office of director information, FMARD.

The Minister of State, FMARD, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri according to the press release was said to have given out planting materials, pesticides and irrigation items to farmers as part of the 2021 flag off to ensure food security and employment generation in the country as Gombe would be the eight state getting these inputs’ support after Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kogi, Oyo, Cross River and Imo states.

Hon. Shehuri was quoted as ‘’ the small holder farmers in the state will today receive the following free inputs; 10,000 Gum Arabic Seedlings, 15MT of rice seed, 2.5 MT groundnut foundation seeds, 1,000 KG of Castor seeds, 1,500 KG of cashew nuts as well as Ratkin and Liptol – organic insecticides to combat army worm infestation and equipment like water pumps, maize threshers among others’’

He stated further that ‘’ the ministry will support Gombe state with subsidized inputs with over 350 3HP and 30 7HP irrigation pumps, multipurpose threshers, over 70 motorized and dual powered sprayers amongst others. Under our World Bank assisted nutrition Programme, we have provided multiple trainings and homestead farming input packages including tomato, pepper, pawpaw among others in 5 local government areas in the state as well as irrigation kits designed to improve the household nutrition’’

The minister emphasized in the statement that 35% of these inputs are targeted at the women farmers, stressing that this was in line with the targets set in the national gender action plan at ensuring increased opportunities for women.

Shehuri however urged the beneficiaries to judiciously use the inputs to produce food for the nation while calling on other stakeholders to provide similar support to farmers saying ‘’so that together we can defeat COVID-19 Pandemic and become self- sufficient in food production’’

The input distribution was kicked-off with two physically challenged people being the first beneficiaries to receive the packages from the Director Federal Department of Agriculture, Hajia Karima Babangida. 

In his remarks, the Executive of Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammadu Yahaya appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari led Government for the flag-off of the distribution of Agricultural inputs and quality seeds to smallholder farmers in the state, stating that it would cushion the effect of COVID – 19 Pandemic, promote dry-season farming, boost production and generate income for the farmers and the entire state.

In a separate visit to Bauchi State, the minister paid a courtesy call on  the Executive Governor of the State, Senator Bala Mohammed where he assured the Governor and his cabinet that ‘’ the Ministry will continue to work with State Governments especially Bauchi State, Farmers and other stakeholders to achieve President Buhari’s promise to diversify the economy, revitalize and modernize Agricultural sector’’.

He further said that ‘’we want to see farmers earning decent income and to be fully integrated into the mainstream of our National Economy’’.

Responding, Governor Mohammed, in the press release pointed that the state has in place progressive policy and programme that allowed investment in the sector, adding that the policies would provide conducive business environment for willing investors, create jobs and boost the economic power of the people.