NALDA commence first dry season wheat production in Gombe
The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has commenced the first dry season wheat harvest in the Nafada Local Government Area of Gombe State.
The wheat farm which was cultivated in December 2021 by 100 women and youth from the community at a ratio of 1 hectare to a person, sits on 100 hectares of land.
The beneficiaries were provided with two brand new tractors, agrochemicals, fertilisers, irrigation pump, improved hand tools, land clearing and technical guidance by NALDA.
The Executive Secretary of NALDA Prince Paul Ikonne, while addressing the farmers said the feat is worthy of celebration as Nigeria spends huge forex on wheat importation.
Ikonne, who was represented by NALDA’s Director of Engineering, Engr. Olusegun Owolabi said the harvest is proof that Nigeria can produce what it eats and eat what it produces.
On market availability, Ikonne said NALDA would get prospective buyers (processing companies) off-take from the farmers.
While appreciating President Muhammadu Buhari’s support in ensuring Nigeria is food secured, Ikonne commended the state commissioner of Agriculture, local government Chairman, traditional ruler and beneficiaries for giving their best in ensuring a good harvest.
He said: “This gathering is the celebration of the outcome of a partnership between NALDA and Gombe State Government late last year, as the Authority observed that Wheat, an agricultural product is the third item in the national importation list and resolved to kick start rewriting the history which leads to NALDA collaboration with some states including Gombe to produce wheat”.
In his remarks, The commissioner of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry in the state, Alhaji Muhammed Magaji Gettado, said the farm would go a long way to improve the livelihoods of the farmers.
Gettado noted that before the establishment of the farm, the youth of the community at this particular period of the year migrated to neighbouring Taraba State and other neighbouring towns to make earnings.
The commissioner called on NALDA to take it a step further by providing harvest machines such as threshers for the farmers to enable them to package clean produce.
