From Our Correspondent
The governments of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe states have started preparations for irrigation farming to boost food production.
In separate interviews, agriculture officers in the three states spoke to our correspondent about their preparation for the dry season farming.
Commissioner for Agriculture in Adamawa State, Prof. David Jatau, said the government is committed to irrigation farming, considering the delay in rainfall recorded this rainy season.
Floods, caused by the release of excess water from the Lagdo Dam affected farmlands.
“The only option left to us now is to take advantage of the opportunity of the government’s support for dry-season farmers.
“The government provided seeds, fertilisers and agrochemicals at subsidised rates,” Jatau said.
He urged the people to key into dry-season farming, particularly rice, wheat and maize productions.
Some farmers who spoke in Fufore, Demsa and Shelleng council areas, urged the government at all levels to support farmers.
Such support, they said, will enable farmers to exploit vast hectares of underutilised irrigation farmlands for all-year-round rice production.
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In Borno, our correspondent reports that Gov. Babagana Zulum has deployed 313 tractors to assist farmers in rural areas.
Zulum has also procured 100 trucks of fertiliser for sale at a 25 per cent discount.
The governor also announced the procurement of 471 ploughs and harrows for the tractors to ensure all-season farming.
He said the 313 tractors deployed under the system – one each to the 313 wards in the state – would be rendering free services to farmers who, however, would contribute to fueling them.
In Yobe, the government has provided 3,000 metric tonnes of fertilisers and agrochemicals for irrigation farming.
The Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Alhaji Ali Mustapha, disclosed this to our correspondent.
“We distributed up to 3,000 metric tonnes in Bursari, Bade, Jakusko, Fika, Gulani and Geidam Local Government Areas.
“This is the initiative of Gov. Mai Mala Buni to provide necessary materials for irrigation farming to areas designed for the scheme,” Mustapha said.
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