NCF distributes improved seeds to farmers in Yobe, unveils seed bank plan
By Baba Dan’iya
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) on Tuesday in Nguru distributed improved crop seeds to farmers in Maja-kura community and announced plans to establish a seed bank.
Mr Harry Junior, Coordinator of the NCF Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands Conservation Project, said the activity was part of a
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Small Grant Programme (SGP), Nigeria, implemented by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF).
He said the improved seeds, including soybean, cowpeas, sorghum and millet, would be stored in the seed bank since the planting season was over, to ensure future access for farmers during subsequent farming seasons.
“The initiative will also serve as an exchange, where farmers provide crop residues after harvest in return for seedlings.
“The residues will then be processed into animal feed and packaged, creating additional income for communities,” Junior explained.
He said that youths would be trained and engaged in processing the animal feeds, while women would benefit from packaging and sales to strengthen household income.
The coordinator added that the project sought to promote empowerment, skill acquisition and sustainable income generation for farmers, while addressing youth restiveness and reducing women’s redundancy.
Also speaking, Dr Michael Nkereuwem, a resource person and senior lecturer at the Department of Crop/Soil Science, Federal University Dutse, took the beneficiaries through the advantages of improved seeds for climate change adaptation, planting methods, benefits and maturity duration.
Key stakeholders present at the event included the Director of Agriculture, Nguru Local Government Area; the Zonal Officer, Yobe Ministry of Environment; and traditional leaders of the beneficiary communities.
In his remarks, Al-amin Umar, the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Nguru Local Government Area, expressed satisfaction with the quality of seeds distributed to the farmers.
He said the improved varieties were free from pests and diseases, adding that farmers had also been trained on appropriate planting methods, including the number of seeds per hole and proper spacing.
“I am very impressed with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation. They have lived up to their promise to support multiple communities in Nguru Local Government,” Umar said.
On behalf of other beneficiaries from the 10 communities, Malam Lawan of Maja-kura, the Ward Head of Maja-kura expressed appreciation to ACF for the gesture. He said they would preserve the seeds again next cropping season for the benefit of over 1000 farmers.
