The sum of N13 billion has been approved by the federal government for the control of trans-boundary pests such as the Quela birds, locusts and grasshoppers.
This was disclosed by the state co-coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Gombe, Dr Musa Mohammed Inuwa during the flagging-off of 2020 fertilizer sales and distribution in the state.
He said that the fight against the pests will be carried out in 12 front line states of Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa,Yobe, Borno, Jigawa, Kano, Sokoto, katsina, Taraba, Zamfara and kebbi.
The pests, according to Dr Inuwa, are very serious threats to food production and national food security.
Inuwa who lamented the low level use of mechanisation of farming activities in Nigeria over the years said there was the need to increase yield of the various crops, reduce man- hours in land preparations, planting, harvesting and transportation of the farm produce.
He noted that the federal government through its Green Imperative Programs has secured a loan worth N1.2 billion US Dollars in kind from the Brazilian government, a collaborating partner in the program to increase the level of Mechanisation in the farming operations.
According to him, the joint collaborative programmes would see to the arrival of 50,000 various Agricultural Equipments, out of which 10,000 would be tractors and their implements such as ploughs, harrows, ridgers, carta, among others from Brazil.
“All agricultural equipments on arrival would be made available to all the 774 local Government Areas and six Area Councils of the FCT”, he said.
He stressed that, in order to reduce the perennial conflicts between farmers and cattle herders in Nigeria with resultant loss of lives and properties, the FG has in its 2020 Appropriation earmarked the sum of N2.5 billion for Development of Wawa- Zange Grazing Reserve in Dukku Local Government of Gombe State.
Inuwa assured the readiness of the Federal Government to compliment Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s efforts towards boosting food production in Gombe State and in Nigeria.
He said that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Muhammadu Sabo Nanono has also approved the release and sales of essential herbicides/ pesticides for sale to farmers at subsidized prices.
In addition, the Coordinator said, 500 bags of improved Sorghum, Millet and cowpea Seeds have been allocated to Gombe State to be used as part of the Palliative to 500 farmers at Nafada, Shongom, Yamaltu Deba, Dukku and Balanga Local Government Areas of the state.
