The Gombe State government through the COVID-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus (GO-CARES), has begun the distribution of farm inputs and assets to 125,729 farmers in the state.
The farmers are being supported under the fourth phase of the Fadama GO-CARES programme of the state Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, to encourage agricultural productivity.
The Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali stated this during the inauguration of the distribution exercise at Kwami town in Kwami Local Government Area of the state.
He said the gesture would support poor and vulnerable farmers in line with the agenda of Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s administration, to alleviate poverty and enhance wealth creation.
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The commissioner added that the Fadama GO-CARES had impacted the lives of 47,482 persons and executed 32 viable projects since inception in the state.
Baba Alkali outlined the projects to include farmer support services, construction of earth dams, access roads, culverts, and drainages, as well as, upgrade of water and sanitary facilities.
According to him, the focus is to leverage on agriculture to create employment opportunities and enhance food security.
“We are here to inaugurate the fourth phase that targets a total of 125,729 direct beneficiaries. Out of the 42,300 beneficiaries, 28,500 will receive agricultural inputs; 5,000 will receive agricultural assets, while 8,800 direct beneficiaries of rural infrastructure, where earth dams, culverts and drainages will be rehabilitated,” he explained.
On his part, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Dr Barnabas Malle, said the distribution was a continuous exercise to enhance participation in the programme and warned against the diversion of the commodities. He said the gesture would help improve the social and economic wellbeing of the beneficiaries.
Coordinator of the Fadama GO-CARES, Dr Babayo Makka implored farmers who were yet to benefit from programme to exercise patience, noting that the distribution was being done in phases to mobilise participation in the programme.
He said the intervention was part of the government’s effort towards improving the lives and economic fortunes of the poor and vulnerable persons in the state.
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