NAN-AE-6
Harvest
By Tukur Muntari Masanawa
Gombe, Aug. 17, 2017 (NAN) The Gombe State Government on Thursday expressed fears that the drought spell experienced at the beginning of the rainy season in some parts of the state may affect the expected bumper harvest in the area.
Mr Sunday Lar, the Acting Programme Manager of the State Agricultural Development Project, made the remark when the Country Director, Sasakawa Global (SG 2000), Prof. Sani Ahmed-Miko, paid him a courtesy visit in Gombe.
“The drought spell had reached a point where people engaged in prayers for God’s intervention.
“As at last week, it was a serious issue as sometimes rain would fall only in Gombe but not on the farms. .
“Definitely, the spell will have much negative effects on our crops, especially maize,” Lar said.
According to him, the drought spell has affected even the millet that is drought-resistant, particularly in Dukku Local Government Area.
He said following the advice by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) on possible shortage of rains, the state government advised farmers to take steps to mitigate the problem.
“We advised farmers to plant early maturing and drought-resistant crops,” he said.
The programme manager commended Sasakawa Global 2000 for its continued support to farmers in the state and urged the agency to sustain the gesture.
He said the state government had fulfilled its obligations by paying counterpart funds for the implementation of agricultural programmes.
“Sasakawa has been our partner in progress and has played a major role in the development of agriculture in the state,” he said.
The Country Director expressed delight that rains had started stabilising in the state.
He said the the team was in the state to assess the performance of rice farmers who had benefited from the intervention programmes of the agency.
He said Gombe was one of the key states that supported SG 2000 since it was established.
“Gombe State has been a long-standing partner of SG 2000 and we are appreciative of your support, “ Ahmed- Miko said. (NAN)
MTM/AMY/AMY
======
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf