Gov. Buni sets to revolutionise agriculture in Yobe, convenes maiden agric retreat

Gov. Buni

Yobe State governor Mai Mala Buni has convened the first ever retreat on agriculture as part of measure of his administration to revolutionised agriculture and create employment for the team youth of the state.

Gov. Buni who declared the four-day retreat opened with the theme: “Enhancing Agricultural activities for food security and economic growth”, in Damaturu regretted that agriculture which is the mainstay of the nation’s wealth has been neglected for too long hence the need for government to shift ground from oil.

“As in many states across the country, a majority of our people here in Yobe State engage in farming as a primary source of livelihood. Agriculture is the linchpin of our economy.

“But at a time when our country continues to look for ways to diversify the economy, create more jobs and lift people out of poverty, it does not seem as if we are making the best of agriculture as the best alternative for wealth creation. Despite abundance of land and the energy of our people, agriculture here in Yobe State still remains largely subsistent”, Gov. Buni said.

The retreat which has brought together researchers and experts in agriculture according to the governor will be coordinated by a technical team  headed by the Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Yobe State University, Prof. Abba Gambo  and is charged with the responsibility, “to thoroughly digest all the presentations and recommendations to be made so as to formulate implementation strategies for the State Government”.

Gov. Buni noted that,”low productivity of the traditional agricultural system, weak research and extension service, limited access to improved seeds, low level of agricultural
mechanization, poor access to credit facilities all these are factors that largely subsistent”, stressing that, “… with a little effort, agriculture holds the key to boundless opportunities that people can tap into the significantly improve the living standard of the citizenry”.

The Guest speaker and former governor of Adamawa State, Vice Admiral Murtala Nyako retired, said Nigeria fell short of food security  indices due to her lack of commitment to agriculture.

 He added that the hunger in the country is part of the causes of insecurity leading to Boko Haram, kidnapping, banditry etc.

In their goodwill messages, the governors of Jigawa and Kebbi states, Mohammed Badaru and Abubakar Atiku Bagudu respectively  called on the stakeholders to embrace agriculture and support the initiative of the Gov. Mai Mala Buni in this direction.

They noted the commitment of  the  Federal Government  to partner with farmers across the country through the Central Bank of Nigeria investment of over N200billion under  anchor borrowers  programme to guarantee  food sufficiency.

The country Director of  Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) , Suffyan Koroma  called on the state  government to strengthen her  agricultural agencies.

Mr. Koroma disclosed that his organization has established 20 fields offices in Yobe as part of their support to the people of the state.

Sixteen papers are expected to be presented within the four days of the retreat.

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