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Gombe State Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Muhammad Magaji Gettado (Middle), during the seminar.
By Akanji Alowolodu, Gombe
Ahead of the 2021 wet season farming, Gombe State Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry has organized a seminar for its farmers in order to equip them on cropping guide and modern farming techniques.
The seminar was also aimed at sensitizing the farmers on weather forecast in the face of climate change and global warming.
State Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Muhammad Magaji Gettado, told the farmers that it was necessary for them to understand the crux of farming methodology before, during and after each cropping season in view of the fast changing climatic condition.
He said the Ministry is poised to keeping farmers in the State abreast with modern farming techniques so as to guard against avoidable losses during and after each cropping season.
Cross section of farmers at the seminar
The Commissioner said that, “Farmers in the State have to understand what to cultivate, when to cultivate and where to cultivate a certain farm produce in view of meteorological reports indicating differentials of rainfall from place to place”.
According to him, the Ministry is currently in possession of a comprehensive list of genuine farmers in the State as a precursor to reaching them each time Government intervention or programme arises.
He commended Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for the attention given to the Agricultural sector which results in the timely distribution of fertiliser and other farm inputs. He then assured farmers of Government’s willingness to partner with them all through the way.
The Programme Manager of the Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme, (GSADP), Abigail Fada, had earlier expressed confidence that the seminar will go a long way in guiding farmers on the crops to be planted in view of weather forecast and cropping guide technology.
She lauded the Ministry for taking farmers through a guide tour on the proper and timely planting of crops.
Giving a weather prediction report by Nigeria meteorological agency (NIMET) on the breakdown of rainfalls in each of the Local Government Areas of the State and what farmers should practically do in their best interest, Dr. Joseph Husseini Kaltungo, a Director in the Ministry prepared the minds of the farmers on what to expect.
According to him, farmers in Gombe South and Gombe Central will have no problem planting early, middle or late maturity varieties of crops while those in Gombe North will do well to cultivate extra early maturing varieties of crops.
The seminar will be extended to senatorial districts in the State in order to have a comprehensive coverage of all farmers and stakeholders in the Agricultural industry for maximum benefits and results.
