Over 125,729 farmers have been empowered in the fourth phase of the Nigeria-COVID-19 action recovery and economic stimulus area two FADAMA Gombe action recovery and economic stimulus projects.
Disclosing this on Tuesday, the Gombe State Commissioner for Budget and Planning Salihu Alkali, said the support was geared towards alleviating poverty among the poor and vulnerable.
The items received include fertiliser, pesticides, pumping and sewing machines.
Akali noted that all through the previous phases of the GO-CARES disbursement, the current administration has shown keen interest in the project and particularly the FADAMA because it affects the live-wire of the poor and vulnerable, which is farming.
He added that farming sector is wide, rich and diverse, capable of sustaining economic well-being of the state and the Nation at large, adding “This explains the special bias to FADAMA GO-CARES in terms of funding and commitment by the Governor of Gombe State Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya.”
Alkali said, “Today we are here to flag-off the fourth phase that targets a total of 125,729 direct beneficiaries. Out of this number; 42,300 beneficiaries will receive support as follows 28,500 will receive agricultural inputs eg fertiliser. 5,000 will receive agricultural assets which includes water pumps and 8,800 direct beneficiaries of rural infrastructure (where earth dams, culverts and drainages will be rehabilitated).
“Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Dr Malle Barnabas, commended the foresight of the distribution saying, “I am particularly delighted because this is done at right time that is, the onset of the rainfed farming season, when farmers are in need of farm inputs.”
On his part, State Project Coordinator FADAMA GO-CARES, Dr Babayo Makka, appealed to farmers yet to benefit to remain hopeful, saying “they should be patient as the project is executed in batches.”
Makka further lauded governor, Gombe State, Muhammadu Yahaya, for timely release of funds.
