NECAS is North East Commodity Association based in Yobe state. In an interview with MUSA M BUBA, its chairman, Nuhu Baba Hassan, says his organisation is boosting agriculture in the state.
What is NECAS all about?
NECAS is North East Commodity Association. It is an association and programme
under presidential initiatives to boost agricultural activities especially in the North-east states ravaged by the activities of Boko Haram. It is no longer news that thousands of lives have been killed with millions displaced. Also, many had to flee for safety to unknown destinations. This association in collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) intends to help farmers regain their means of livelihood. We deal mainly in rice, maize, millet, sesame, beans, groundnuts, wheat, among other crops being cultivated in the zone.
Up till now, the lack of knowledge on modern farming techniques and improved seeds is
still a challenge to farmers. What plan do you have to educate them?
Truly, in this part of the country, the use of modern farming techniques and improved seedling are still pose a challenge. We, however, have a forum that gives sensitisation by teaching farmers the advantage of the improved variety of seeds. NECAS is collaboration with genuine companies that supply certified seeds to our farmers. I am talking about seeds that have been tested and proved to be 100 percent fit for use. They are the ones being supplied.
A new farming season has just set in. What are you doing in terms of supply of fertiliser and tractors to vulnerable farmers in Yobe?
Last year, we gave out fertilisers to 5,000 farmers in Yobe and this year rainy season we are targeting 30,000 farmers. Presently, 11,000
rice farmers have already benefited while another 20,000 beneficiaries have been short- listed for groundnuts, sesame, maize and wheat
farming. As for tractor hiring, the CBN under Godwin Emefiele had procured 650 tractors
to farmers across the country. Yobe state considering the challenge it went through with regards to insurgency, but with the help of our national president, Alhaji Sadiq Umar Daware, the apex bank graciously approved 90 tractors to the state to see that the returnees get back on track. To that extent, we are expecting the tractors in the first week of July, 2019,
therefore all groups and individuals that have registered with us will hire the tractors at subsidised rate, for example, if the commercial
tractors are charging N30,000 per day, ours will be N20,000 only but for the registered members, the tractors are not for loan but will be kept in our custody. The other implements like water pump, insecticides, fertilisers,
sprayer, herbicide, among others, will be given out on loan repayable in two farming seasons.
In your view, has Yobe state government lived up to expectation in agricultural production?
Yobe state government had been doing well in agricultural activities especially the setting up of committee on irrigation whereby many
youths in the state benefited. Last farming season, it procured 8,640 metric tons of fertilisers at the cost of N1,468,800,000.00 and sold out at the cost of N3,000 only
to farmers. This is the cheapest fertiliser sold in the country last year. The state also approved the construction of dams in Tarmuwa, Nguru and Fune, refurbishing of irrigation scheme in Garin Gada inYunusari local government area apart from improved seeds and provision of ox-plough to returnees in Gujiba local government.
Governor Mai Mala Buni during his inaugural speech gave assurance of agricultural support to farmers through the procurement of 20 tractors to each of the 17 local government councils in the state as well as supply of fertilisers, among others. In a nutshell, Yobe is doing well and we need to complement the effort.The governor promised to collaborate with us to bring succour to farmers and insha Allahu, we will do our best when contacted.
How long has NECAS been in Yobe, what have been your success stories and hiccups?
We have just spent only one year in Yobe, but I want to assure you that what NECAS did within the one year is far better than other
associations that have been existing for 10 years in the state. In fact, they are yet to compete with us. We have touched lives of vulnerable individuals who were affected by the insurgency and thank God thingsare changing for good. However, in every success story, there must be some challenges. Presently theNPK fertiliser we are supplying, embargo has been placed on it by the army due to insecurity in this area. We are therefore calling on government to look
into the plight of the farmers and intervene because this is the right time that farmers are looking for the fertilizer as doing that on time
would increase food production and sufficiency this farming season. Also, there are few individuals that have defaulted in repaying their loans, while others who got the farming implements sold them out, butthank God we are on top of the challenges; we will use appropriate means to arrest the situation.
Why did you concentrated so much on Gujba, Gulani, Geidam and Yunusari local government councils?
Our major targets are vulnerable people of Gujba, Gulani, Geidam and Yunusari local government councils because they are the most affected in the state. They were displaced from their homes and are gradually
returning, so they are our target while the other local governments follow later.
Another reason for the special attention is that
of the loan given out last year, they almost repaid more than 70 percent in Gujba and Gulani, so this one too encouraged us to assist them the more.
Northern Yobe experiences less than 90 days rainfall. What is your organisation doing to help them get short terms varieties?
When farmers registered with us, we normally ask them about their location; we give them farming education first and also supply them with the variety of seeds that can yield result in their area. The procurement of the seeds earlier talked about, the short varieties were considered for farmers in the northern parts of the state because the southern
parts has higher rainfall than the north; that is why seeds that can mature early are being provided for them.
How is the association being funded?
The programme, as I said earlier is a presidential initiative to boost
the agricultural activities in the North-east.
Our major funding comes from the CBN and they have assured us to apply any amount we need and they will give us, having
seen that we are remitting the money back. For your information, all the implements are
interest free. I urged all farmers and youths in the state to register with this association. It’s an opportunity for them to benefit from this
agricultural scheme. Nigeria need to diversify its economy by going back to farm. We should not depend solely on petroleum product because we don’t what would happen in future.
