The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has commenced the first dry season wheat harvest in 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 a 100 hectares land.
The beneficiaries were provided with two brand new tractors, agro-chemicals, 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 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 lead 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, 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 a clean produce.
According to him, the level of commitment shown by the farmers would further encourage NALDA to do more for them.
He noted that the Ministry of Agriculture would provide threshers on the farm for proper threshing of the wheat.
Rukayatu Usman, a female beneficiary of the project who spoke in Hausa language, said the project is a blessing to them in the community and they’re thanking God for blessing their hard work with bountiful harvest.
Also, from Nafada, the NALDA team moved to Kordon,Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of the state to inspect ongoing construction work on its modern tomato market.
So far the market has 18 buildings consisting of 16 blocks of 64 shops and two blocks of stores already finished, a reservoir, borehole, office block, toilet facilities and fencing are all on the way in the market.
NALDA informed that the Market would serve as a one stop point for all kinds of Perishables for farmers and consumers from all over the state.
Speaking to the beneficiaries expected to occupy the market, Ikonne said the level of Vegetable business going on in the area deserves a better operating environment.
Meanwhile, on a separate event, the NALDA team stopped over at NALDA’s Integrated Farm Estate in Suduje, Daura local government area of Katsina State, where the Executive Secretary distributed pumping machines to farmers to boost irrigation farming in the area.
During the presentation Ikonne charged the over 100 beneficiaries on ground to use the machines to boost their irrigation activities.
The Executive Secretary warned them against selling the machines as it’s for their benefit and that of their community.
The Nation learnt NALDA is distributing 500 pumping machines across Katsina State.