By Yau Waziri
The Federal College of Horticulture, Dadin-Kowa in Gombe, has entered into partnership with the West African Agricultural Productivity Programme (WAAPP) Abuja as well as the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) for the distribution of 65, 000kg of certified maize and rice seeds to no fewer than 800 farmers in the adopted villages at Baure, and Hinna in Yamaltu-Deba local government of Gombe state.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the event, the Acting Provost, Malam Salisu Yusuf, explained that “about 70% of our people are farmers; therefore, if the certified seeds are utilised efficiently, it would boost bumper harvest to enhance increasing food security that would contribute to the economic growth of the country.
He said the improved seeds resistance to environmental changes “which prevent farmers from putting high yields in Africa and with such a gesture the farmers would get higher yields if utilised effectively.”
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the programme (WAAPP), Mr. Francis Osometha, reiterated that the college should develop the sound rurally based technology that would assist the farmers to ensure the standard level of modern agricultural technology.
The seeds were distributed free to farmers by WAAPP “so as to enhance food security and boost agricultural across the country,” and that the “rice planted takes less than three months to mature, while the maize are drought resistant with a shortest fall of rain.”
He charged the benefitting farmers to make adequate use of the certified seeds to ensure a bumper harvest and improved agricultural production in Gombe state and Nigeria at large.
