North East Development Commission (NEDC) has donated farm inputs and implements to Gombe State Government to enhance the production capacity of dry season farmers in the state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the donations were made in Gombe on Friday, while the items included: 500 pieces of 3-inch water pump, 5,000 litres of liquid urea and 7,000 litres of agrochemicals.
Acting Coordinator of NEDC in the state, Alhaji Rufa’i Baba-Manu, said that the distribution of the items was in line with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration’s efforts at boosting food production and addressing the nation’s food insecurity.
“The commission intends to boost dry season farming, hence the collaboration with the state government as well as other stakeholders to see that the farmers are supported directly.
“We want to reach the targeted beneficiaries; that’s why we have come to the state government, being the major stakeholder in the state.
“We are very sure that Gov. Inuwa Yahaya has a capable team that will handle the items and distribute them appropriately,” he said.
Baba-Manu said that the gesture had also been extended to the three senatorial districts in the state through the senators.
He urged the beneficiaries to utilise the items for the purpose for they were meant.
Receiving the items, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Barnabas Malle, lauded the commission for the gesture, saying that the inputs and implements would impact positively on crop production in the state.
Malle, represented by the Line Staff, Agriculture Services in the ministry, Mr Jonathan Bulus, said that the items were coming at the right time.
According to him, Gombe is an agrarian state where a considerable number of people are engaging in dry season farming.
He said: “The state has identified about 46 areas for dry season farming in 2024 and some places have been visited,” he said.
The commissioner assured that the items would be taken to the grassroots in order to reach the intended beneficiaries. (NAN)
