3 weeks ago
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The Special Adviser to the Bauchi State Governor on Agriculture, Iliyasu Gital, has urged farmers in the state to prepare for the dry season farming as the harmattan season rapidly approaches.
Gital, who made the call in an interview with Arewa PUNCH, underscored the importance of early preparations and infrastructure development to enhance agricultural productivity and address food security challenges.
He also emphasised the role of the government in addressing food security by empowering farmers, noting the need for additional irrigation infrastructure, such as boreholes and water management systems, to help farmers sustain crop production through the dry season.
The S.A. explained that “Agriculture is struggling due to food shortages, not solely because of lack of food but also due to poverty and powerlessness among farmers.
“Bauchi State has an abundance of arable land, especially in the southern and northern regions, which are fed by river systems and fertile floodplains, stressing that with the appropriate infrastructure, these areas could contribute significantly to the state’s food production.”
Gital urged farmers to change their perception of farming from merely subsistence to a business model.
He urged that farmers should see their efforts as not just for self-sustenance but as a source of income and national food security.
While encouraging farmers to reduce their dependency on government’s aid, he warned against the practice of selling subsidised inputs for profit, even as he further called for enhanced support for water harvesting and irrigation infrastructure.
According to Gital, because preparations for dry season farming are underway, farmers must, therefore, adhere to production guidelines to achieve optimal harvests.
He insisted that utilising inputs properly and managing land resources effectively will be crucial for success.
Ilyasu Gital reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting farmers through infrastructure and advisory services, particularly in collaboration with agencies like the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme and the local media.
Thus, he urged farmers in the state to take advantage of these resources, prepare responsibly, and contribute to food security in the state.
