Over 5,000 small scale farmers to benefit from AU’s programme on agriculture
By Charly Agwam – Bauchi
The African Union Development Agency, under the new partnership for African Development Program on Agriculture (AUDA NEPAD) has said that 5,400 Small Scale Farmers in Bauchi State will be strengthened to accelerate productive land restoration and combat desertification.
This was disclosed by the Bauchi State Coordinator of AUDA-NEPAD and Focal Person, Dr. Esther Ahmed, while giving an overview of the program to the newly appointed Local Government desk officers of the intervention in her office on Tuesday.
Dr. Ahmed further stated that, other goals the intervention will seek to achieve is the promotion of innovative technology to reduce post harvest losses in agriculture and also maximize food security amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The AUDA NEPAD agriculture programme is specifically designed to respond to the medium and long term effect of Covid-19 pandemic on the socioeconomic activities in Bauchi State.
“The agriculture programme will focused on some selected activities that will be implemented on strong agricultural footing towards sustainable development. The activities will include: drip irrigation farming and other irrigation facilities, green house construction and livestock production/husbandry farming, which will be targeted at women and people living with disability (PLWD).
“Other focus areas of the programme are tailored around agricultural equipment and infrastructure, post-harvest storage and processing, capacity building of beneficiaries and other stakeholders,” said the state coordinator.
Dr. Esther Ahmed, who also doubles as the State Director General of the Sustainable Development Goals office, informed the LG desk officers that the State Governor, Bala Mohammed is committed to the AUDA NEPAD programme.
Speaking on behalf of the 20 LG desk officers, Mallam Aminu Ningi thanked the State coordinator for having the confidence in them and also reassured her that she wont be disappointed.
“We will do everything humanly possible to see to the success of the agriculture programme. You won’t be disappointed Ma’am,” said the Ningi desk officer.
Our correspondent reports 5,400 beneficiaries have been listed to benefit from the AUDA NEPAD program in Bauchi State. It was gathered that 2,670 representing 55.61 percent comprising males, and 2,310, representing 46.39 percent of females will participate in the agriculture programme.