By Grace Samuel
The Gombe State Government has started distributed farm inputs and assets to over 125,000 farmers in the state to boost food production.
This initiative is part of the fourth phase of the Fadama GO-CARES program, a COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus package aimed at supporting poor and vulnerable farmers.
The Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, coordinated the distribution exercise which was inaugurated in Kwami town, Kwami Local Government Area of the state.
According to the commissioner, the program is designed to support farmers who have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and to enhance the state’s agricultural productivity.
He said: “The Fadama GO-CARES program has impacted the lives of 47,482 persons and executed 32 viable projects since its inception in the state.
“We are committed to leveraging agriculture to create employment opportunities and enhance food security in the state.”
Alkali stressed further saying that the will benefit 28,500 farmers with agricultural inputs, 5,000 with agricultural assets, and 8,800 with rural infrastructure development.
The agricultural inputs include seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides, while the assets include tractors, plows, and other farming equipment.
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The rural infrastructure development includes the rehabilitation of earth dams, culverts, and drainages.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Dr. Barnabas Malle, warned against the diversion of commodities and encouraged patience among farmers yet to benefit from the program.
“We want to ensure that the commodities reach the intended beneficiaries. We urge farmers to be patient and to ensure that they utilize the inputs and assets judiciously,” the Commissioner said.
The coordinator of Fadama GO-CARES, Dr. Babayo Makka, emphasized the government’s commitment to improving the lives and economic fortunes of poor and vulnerable persons in the state.
“This program is part of our efforts to reduce poverty and enhance wealth creation in the state,” Makka said.
The distribution of farm inputs and assets is expected to boost agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and create employment opportunities in Gombe State.
In a related development, the state government has also established a monitoring and evaluation team to ensure that the program is implemented effectively and that the commodities reach the intended beneficiaries.
The Fadama GO-CARES program is a partnership between the Gombe State government and the World Bank, aimed at supporting the state’s agricultural sector and enhancing the livelihoods of farmers.
The program has already shown significant results in the state, with many farmers reporting increased yields and improved livelihoods.
