Food security: Gov Idris visits cassava farms in Gulumbe, harps on improve system 

By: John Bassey.

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State has affirmed the commitment of his administration to improving agricultural production for food security, income generation, economic growth, and societal well-being.

Comrade Nasir Idris made this emphasis during an inspection visit to potato farms in Gulumbe, this Tuesday. 

In a remark, the governor informed the District Head of Gulumbe, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar Dangaladima, retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs and farmers, that since his assumption to power, he has attached utmost importance to agriculture as the backbone of the economic development of the state.

“My administration has provided agricultural inputs and fertilizer to farmers free as an encouragement to cultivate more yields which shall be sustained”,

“Consequently, Kebbi is blessed with bumper harvest this season, emphasis has also been placed on the provision of necessary assistance to farmers to engage in dry season irrigation farming”,

“The government concurs that abundance of food is the foundation of wealth, peace, and security of the people, which is our target”, the governor remarked.

Comrade Kauran Gwandu commended the District Head of Gulumbe, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar Dangaladima, for encouraging farmers in the area to adopt the newly introduced cassava farming method. He also praised the farmers for embracing the innovation.

The Governor further highlighted the importance of food security, noting that President Tinubu has prioritized agriculture as a key focus of his administration. 

He further emphasized Kebbi State’s commitment to adopting new agricultural methods of farming and urged other states to follow its example.

Idris directed the Commissioner for Agriculture to immediately provide farmers with fertilizer.

DanLadi Gulumbe, a cassava farmer and beneficiary of Kebbi State Government’s support program, expressed his gratitude to Governor Nasir Idris for providing improved cassava seeds through the Ministry of Agriculture.

He stated that with sustained government support in the form of farm inputs, farmers in Gulumbe could not only meet the state’s cassava needs but also contribute significantly to national food security.

Dan Ladi further appealed to the Governor for additional assistance, specifically in the provision of fertilizers and insecticides, to enhance their production efforts.

Welcoming the Governor and his entourage, the District Head of Gulumbe, Alhaji Aminu Abubakar Dangaladima, retired Deputy Comptroller of Customs, expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Governor for personally visiting the cassava farms and supporting the farmers in his community.

He assured the Governor that farmers in the area have wholeheartedly adopted the improved cassava planting techniques introduced by the government.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Shehu Mu’azu, said as a result of the recent floods, Governor Nasir Idris directed the Ministry of Agriculture to evolve strategies to turn the challenges faced by farmers into opportunities.

“The Governor summoned us and emphasized that he did not want to hear people crying, directing  us to devise a plan to transform pain into gain”,

“The ministry discussed viable solutions and proposed the idea of residual moisture planting, a practice where crops are cultivated as floodwaters recede”,

 “We informed the Governor that crops such as potatoes and cassava could thrive under this method and immediately directed us to source potato vines and distribute them to interested farmers”, the Commissioner said.

According to Alhaji Mu’azu, the program has shown remarkable success.

“To the glory of God, we are here today to assess its progress, from what we’ve seen and heard from the farmers, the program is a success,” he said.

He acknowledged that the initiative has already benefited 15,613 farmers, with 15,000 hectares cultivated under the scheme.

Encouraged by this success, the government plans to expand the program and develop a robust potato value chain in Kebbi State, alongside the already leading rice value chain.

The Commissioner announced that the  Ministry has sourced potato vines, fertilizer, and insecticides. Fertilizers have been procured, and the Governor has given explicit directives for immediate distribution. 

“By tomorrow, all participating communities will receive their allocations”, he said 

The program, implemented under the Kebbi State ‘KADAGE’ initiative, is known as the Residual Moisture Crop Production scheme. 

It is designed to empower farmers and maximize agricultural productivity in the state.