No fewer than 3,490 dry season farmers in Borno have received farm inputs under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES).
Speaking at the launch of the distribution of the inputs to 250 dry season farmers in Jere LGA, Gov. Babagana Zulum said the gesture would boost production among vulnerable farmers.
Zulum, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Bawu Baba Musami, said the inputs would also help improve the quality of life of the people and stimulate rural economy.
He said that the programme was in line with the government’s policy on agriculture as captured in his agricultural transformation agenda.
The governor also said that the farmers were selected from six villages of Jere LGA, known as the hub of irrigation farming.
“The ministry, in collaboration with the NG-Cares, will stem the tide of climate change by further training the beneficiaries on climate smart agriculture as well as operation and maintenance of the machines.
“As part of ensuring food sufficiency in Borno, all dormant irrigation schemes in the state are being resuscitated with nine new ones being established in eight LGAs,” Zulum said.
Earlier, the Head of Fadama NG-CARES, Maina Mustapha, said the 3,490 beneficiaries were selected from 13 LGAs.
Mustafa said that six LGAs of Biu, Gubio, Magumeri, Hawul, Damboa and Shani, known for groundnut production, would get one large-scale oil extraction machine each.
In a remark, the State-CARES Coordinating Officer, Bukar Bulama, cautioned beneficiaries against selling the items and urged them to make most use of the items for maximum benefit.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke described the intervention as timely.
They said that the inputs would enhance their production this farming season.
Items presented to the irrigation farmers included sprayers, agro chemicals, fertiliser and seeds.
