By Olamide Francis
Following the recovery of seven hundred hectares of land in Sugu of Ganye local government area, the Executive Secretary, National Land Agricultural Development Authority (NALDA), Dr Paul Ikonne, has disclosed plans to train at least thirty thousand young graduates for purpose of conducting a soil test for the commencement of land preparation for farming activities.
This he said was in line with President Muhammad Buhari’s resuscitation of NALDA to ensure food sufficiency in the country. He said the authority will provide farming inputs and implements such as tractors, improved seeds, herbicides, and insecticides among others as well as provide extension services for the participating farmers, while the authority will purchase the farm produce from farmers.
“I feel excited with land donated to NALDA is an indication that Nigeria is on the path of greatness, the attitude of people and response shows that hunger and poverty in the country are artificial, all they need is what we are about to start with them”, he said.
Ikonne also expressed delight with the posture of the Paramount ruler of Ganye Chiefdom, Gangawari Ganye Alh Umaru Adamu Sanda for maintaining the Land acquired by former NALDA more than twenty years without being encroached upon.
“Seven hundred hectares of land belonging to NALDA abandoned for over 20 years, no support to farmers using the land and the entire land is not properly cultivated, thanks to Mr President for bringing NALDA back and directing us to reactivate the land, by next month February we will start working on this land”, he said.
Also commenting, the State Coordinator of NALDA Mr Zakaria Kraha said 1,500 farmers have so far registered for the rice dry season farming in five pilot local governments to include, Girei, Fufore, Yola North, Yola South, and Laurie.
He said the wet farming is going to be holistic in the 21 local governments in the state while explaining that farmers from each of the local government will be picked for the program.
“Let us embrace this program, there is no better program than this as far as Agriculture is concerned, we need to be committed, we need to be serious to ensure we move in line with the objectives of the program”, he said.