NANFeatures/Vol.10/No.263/2016 (Nov. 30)
Assessing the Green Revolution in Yobe deserts
By Mamman Mohammed, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
Concern citizens in Yobe observe that many communities in the state have witnessed sand dunes and depreciating rainfall for decades; making agriculture unprofitable and less attractive.
According to them, farmers have expressed worry about the encroaching desert which has compelled them to look for solutions to their challenges in farming.
The citizens observe that with the ban on rice importation through land borders and the attendant consequences of food scarcity, governments and individuals must look inwards for local solutions to food insecurity.
As a part of the measures considered for fighting food shortage, the Yobe government constituted a task force of professionals to explore and exploit irrigation potential across the state to boost food production and generate jobs.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Mustapha Gajerima said the government had earmarked 1,500 hectares of land for cultivation of rice, wheat and vegetables in Nguru, Jumbam and Giedam in a special irrigation scheme.
According to the commissioner, more than 4,000 youths will be engaged to cultivate rice, wheat and vegetables to complement rain-fed agriculture and guaranty food security.
Analysts note that River Yobe from which the state derives its name is 765-kilometre long with vast arable land along the basins that provides great potential for irrigation farming.
They observe that the state government has also seized the opportunity by increasing irrigation farming activities in the Gashua, Nguru and Giedam wetlands.
They note further that communities close to the river cultivate the basins; construct water channels to their farms covering some distance away from the river and other water sources to engage in irrigation farming.
Currently, farming activities have suddenly changed the desert sands into lush green farmlands with an assuring good harvest.
The commissioner noted that there had been a massive migration of farmers from rain fed agriculture to irrigation.
“In fact, with the huge manpower on ground, long stretch of the river and vast arable land, Yobe state can comfortably feed the country.
“We are witnessing a new revolution in irrigation farming in Yobe with many people cultivating large farms just as the old farmers are expanding the farms because it is more profitable.
“Vegetables are harvested three times before farmers go into rice, wheat and other crops cultivation by the end of the year, so you can see that it is more lucrative.
“I have planted 11 hectares of pepper, onions and tomatoes on my farm, I am expecting to make three harvests before the end of the year after which I will plant wheat and upland rice variety,’’ he said.
For Mr Aliyu Abubakar and several other irrigation farmers, the ban on importation of rice was the best decision taken by government to develop agriculture and build the local content.
Abubakar, a farmer in Nguru, said: “we have the capacity and potential to cultivate rice needed in this country.’’
But Musa Katuzu, a rice farmer in Gashua, said Nigerians preferred imported rice because of the quality of processing which was more refined.
“Government should support us with processing machines and equipment in form of soft facilities to assist us in developing the local farm produce,’’ he said.
Therefore, farmers in the Nguru, Gashua and Giedam wetlands appeal to the Federal Government to dredge River Yobe as the communities have indicated increased interest in irrigation.
They note that if the government assists in that regard, there will be food sufficiency and security.
They call on the appropriate authorities to find solutions to typha grass on River Yobe that has reduced water flow in the river for improved irrigation and fishing activities in the communities.
Observers believe that the courage and resilience exhibited by Yobe communities in that regard needs support and encouragement from the government, development partners and non-governmental organisations.
They note that the communities have prevented disasters such as desertification and the protracted food insecurity by their determination to engage in aggressive irrigation farming.
Agriculturalists, therefore, insist that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has a great role to play to spur the communities into practising large scale irrigation farming to fight desert encroachment, ensure food security and diversify the economy.
According to them, farmers in the state can sustain the tempo with some assistance and encouragement from government.
They believe that this will contribute to speedy resettlement, reconstruction and rehabilitation of a society ravaged by natural factors and a protracted security challenge.(NANFeatures)
**If used, please credit the writer as well as News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)