NCF distributes 1,075kg improved seeds to 200 farmers in Yobe to boost climate change adaptation
Edited by Olamide Kenneth
The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) has distributed 1,075 kilograms of improved crop seeds to 200 farmers in Maja-kura community, Nguru Local Government Area of Yobe.
The distribution, held on Tuesday, was part of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Small Grant–funded intervention titled Sustainable Farmers-led Adaptation Strategy (SFLAS) to Climate Change.
Mr Harry Hanson, speaking on behalf of NCF at the event, said the initiative aimed at mitigating climate change by promoting climate-smart agricultural practices among local farmers.
He explained that the seeds comprised 600kg of soybeans, 180kg of cowpeas, 150kg of sorghum, and 145kg of millet, and would be cultivated on an estimated 106 hectares of farmland in the next planting season.
Hanson noted that farmers from 10 communities had earlier been taken on an exposure visit to the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), Kano, in August for training on smart agriculture.
He said step-down training sessions were later conducted across the communities to build the capacity of 2,000 targeted beneficiaries.
According to him, seed banks will be established in three communities to store harvests under improved post-harvest handling and storage practices, ensuring farmers’ access to quality seeds in future planting seasons.
Hanson added that plans were underway to train 50 youths and 125 women from the communities on processing soybeans into cake, soy milk, and animal feeds, as well as energy-efficient stove production and marketing.
“These measures will improve household income, provide dry season feed for pastoralists, and reduce pressure on the forest,” he said.
Those in attendance included the Zonal Officer of Yobe State Ministry of Environment, Mr Mala Baba Shetima; Director of Agriculture, Nguru Local Government, Mr Al-Ameen Mohammed; Ward Head of Maja-kura, Lawan Bamai; and village heads of the 10 communities.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Bamai expressed gratitude to the funders and NCF for identifying with the community and pledged support for the success of the project.
