FOOD SECURITY: Gov. Fintiri Cautions Farmers Against Hasty Sale of Farm Produce.

By Sammeni Kamsobbi

The Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has cautioned famers against hasty sale of farm produce especially on the farms, but to imbibe the culture of safe storage of grains until more auspicious periods for doing so.

Governor Fintiri stated this at the official flag off ceremony and distribution of modern solar powered irrigation panels to trained beneficiaries on Monday, in Yola at Ribadu square.

About Three Hundred (300) Members of smallholder farmers in Adamawa have been trained and empowered with solar powered irrigation farming tools through climate smart agriculture organised by Feed the Future Nigeria, Rural Resilience Activity and Partners.

Feed the Future is the United States government global hunger and food security initiative implemented in the four Northeastern States of Nigeria to include: Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe States.

The historical event and distribution of the solar powered irrigation system with the theme: "Catalyzing Smallholder Farmers Productivity Through Climate Smart Agriculture", is aimed at mitigating the effects of climate change and will make farmers more resilient. 

Represented by his Deputy Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, Governor Fintiri reiterated his administration's commitment to continue exploring all avenue to promote peace among farmers and herders, for their contributions to the economy of the State and Nigeria are bumper.

During the official flag off ceremony, Governor Fintiri said "This initiative neatly fits into, and effectively complements the bold agricultural policies of the Adamawa State government. I therefore urge our farmers to embrace this new solar powered irrigation system for enhanced productivity and environmental resilience."

According to him, it is necessary for governments at the Federal and State levels as well Development Partners to take deliberate steps towards strengthening vulnerable groups to become climate resilient so that they can absorb the stresses and shocks generated by climate change such as droughts and floods.

The Country Director, IFDC Yusuf Dramani and the Deputy Chief of party Nurein Abdulfattah in their separate remarks emphasised on the importance of advancing modern technology agriculture among farmers, hence the distribution of irrigation pumps, solar panel among others to boost agricultural activities.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Professor Finchiwa said, the adoption of solar powered irrigation brings forth arrange of advantage, the technology has made farming easier and less expensive than before.

Professor David Finchiwa Jatau also acknowledged the support of government to the program, advising beneficiaries to utilize the opportunity for food security and sufficiency.

The distribution covers over One Thousand beneficiaries across the four benefitting States of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe and Yobe.