By Grace Samuel
The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has initiated a groundbreaking project in Borno State, comprising the construction of 120 housing units and the establishment of an empowerment center tailored for farmers.
According to Paul Ikonne, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, the primary objective of this endeavor is to bolster food production while enticing young Nigerians to embrace agriculture.
In a collaborative effort between NALDA and Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno, a facility was inaugurated in Maiduguri aimed at poverty alleviation, wealth creation among smallholder farmers, and provision of suitable housing.
Situated in the Dustman community of Zawiya Village, Borno, the facility boasts a comprehensive infrastructure, including a clinic, a school for farmers’ children, a worship center, solar-powered boreholes, and well-connected access roads.
Moreover, the facility features designated sections for various agricultural activities such as fish ponds, poultry houses, and goat enclosures, alongside a fully equipped empowerment center dedicated to training women and youth.
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NALDA has also committed to extending support and training to beneficiaries from internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
Ikonne emphasized that every state stands to benefit from the program and urged state governments to leverage it for job creation opportunities.
NALDA has already forged partnerships with individual farmers in Osun and Nasarawa States, who have allocated their farmland for the establishment of empowerment centers.
Plans are underway to recruit 250,000 young Nigerians from diverse sectors in the initial phase of the program.
Governor Zulum lauded NALDA’s decision to implement these projects in Borno, recognizing their significance in facilitating the reintegration of IDPs affected by insurgency.
In addition, Ikonne announced the intention to hire 250,000 young Nigerians nationwide in successive phases, empowering them across various fields.
Governor Zulum offered to allocate land for agriculture investors, emphasizing the initiative’s potential to support displaced persons affected by banditry and terrorism.
