Gombe State Flagging Off Sales of Fertilizer for 2021 Cropping Season.
Gombe State Flagging Off Sales of Fertilizer for 2021 Cropping Season.
By Ben Ngwakwe Gombe
The Gombe State Commissioner of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Alhaji Mohammed Magaji has disclosed that the Government is committed to revitalizing the agricultural sector to ensure food security and wealth creation for the citizens and to support Governor’s vision and mission in order to bring about sustainable agricultural development in the state.
Speaking at the Flagging- Off Sales of Fertilizer for the 2021 Cropping Season in Gombe on Friday, the Commissioner said that the flagged-off is an important event because the farmers look forward to it because of the importance of agriculture to the people of Gombe State.
“The entire farming populace of Gombe State for the Excellency’s unrelenting efforts and strong determination to develop the agricultural sector in the state despite the economic challenges as well as the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
“This is evident from the number of projects and programmes executed in the agricultural sector and other sectors since the inception of the administration”.
The Commissioner of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry also maintained that under the leadership of Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, “agriculture is regaining its rightful position in the economy of Gombe State and indeed Nigeria”.
The Ministry and the entire farming population of Gombe State remain grateful and the commitment of the Governor had reflected in the timely procurement and distribution of fertilizer to Gombe State farmers since the inception of the administration.
Also, the reactivation and sustenance of the Annual Animal Vaccination of cattle, sheep and goats that have long been forgotten have been restored.
Other reflective achievements of the Governor included the control of the menace of quelea birds and grasshoppers destroying crops across the state, payment of counterpart funds to UNDP ( GSADP), Leventis Foundation and Fadama 111, and many more in other sectors as well as the inclusion of the state in the Livestock Transformation Plan of President Muhammadu Buhari which made the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammadu Sabo Nanono to visit the state twice last year.
Currently, they have two access roads, 10 Ha pasture development, Earth Dam, two boreholes and Veterinary Clinics while the human clinic has been completed in Wawa- Zange Reserve.
Furthermore, Desilting of Earth Dams in Wawa- Zange Grazing Reserve which has not been done since 1989 is ongoing while the employment of Range Guards who have been provided with a torch- lights, rain- boots, raincoats, uniforms and motorcycles for surveillance within and around the Grazing Reserve had been provided by the Government.
Also, Free distribution of Ruminant Feeds and Minerals Salt- Licks to settlers in Wawa-Zange, Miyetti Allah and Sullubawa group for improved Livestock Production and the lease of the Fertilizer Blending Company to capable company ( ( TAK-Agro & Chemicals Ltd, which produced this year’s fertilizer and will not only produced for Gombe State but extended to other states, thereby generating employment and revenue for the state is also a milestone of the administration.
With the lack of capable hands in the ministry, Commissioner Magaji appealed to the Governor for the employment of agricultural professionals in the ministry and Agricultural Development Programme ( ADP) in no distant time and to renovate and put to use three MDGs centres located in each of the three Senatorial Districts ( North in Kupto, Central in Wajari and South in Lodongor, capable of providing training and empowering 1, 200 youth and women yearly as well as revitalizing of pest control team which has been left dormant since the creation of the state.
