Gov. Bala inaugurates N4.2billion farmers’ capacity building project
Story from Beatrice EARLAND, Bauchi
Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has inaugurated a N4.2 billion capacity building project for small holder farmers in the state.
Governor Mohammed who stated this on Monday at the inauguration ceremony explained that the state government would contribute a counterpart of N2 billion out of the N4.2 billion.
The governor, who was represented by Mr Ibrahim Kashim, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), said that the programme was expected to run for a period of 10 years.
The training was a collaboration between the state government and Africa Union Development Agency – New Partnership for Africa Development (AUDA-NEPAD).
READ ALSO: NDE trains 30 unemployed youths on Enviropreneurship Development Initiative in Kogi
Governor Bala said that the N4.2 billion was budgeted for the first year of implementation.
“It is my pleasure to be part of this momentous and auspicious occasion of the flag off of a giant agricultural project of the African Union Development Agency tagged innovative strengthening of small holder farmers capabilities towards productive land restoration amid COVID-19 in Nigeria.
“Considering the fact that the majority of our people have agriculture as their economic mainstay, it is only natural that necessary support is given to crop production and animal husbandry.
This project is in line with the agricultural blueprint of our government.
“It is against this backdrop that our government without hesitation, accepted to partner with AUDA-NEPAD by signing a counterpart fund with a commitment of funds to the tune of N2 billion,” Mohammed said.
Earlier, the state Coordinator and Focal Person of AUDA-NEPAD, Mrs Esther Ahmed, said AUDA-NEPAD is a socio-economic flagship programme of the African Union which was geared toward eradication of poverty and promotion of sustainable growth and development.
She said that it was also aimed at integrate Africa and the world at large as well as to accelerate the empowerment of women.
Ahmed said that a total of 5,400 beneficiaries would benefit in the first year of the project, with 2,895 males representing 53.61 per cent and 2,505 females representing 46.39 per cent and 10 per cent of the total beneficiaries for persons with disabilities.
“The programme is focused on some selected activities that will be implemented on strong agricultural footing towards sustainable development in the medium and long-term.
“These activities include; drip irrigation farming system and other irrigation facilities, and greenhouse construction.
“Others include; livestock production/husbandry farming which will mostly involve women and people with disability, agricultural equipment and infrastructure, post-harvest storage and processing, capacity building of farmers and other stakeholders.
Follow the Neptune Prime channel on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va74ZvU2v1IqKByXoX3d
Do you have breaking news, interview request, opinion, suggestion, or want your event covered? Email us at neptuneprime2233@gmail.com
