The Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa Farauta, has launched a $525,000 World Bank intervention aimed at supporting farmers across the state.
Speaking at the inauguration event at Government House, Yola, on Tuesday, Farauta stated that the project seeks to enhance food production, reduce community vulnerability, and build resilience against the adverse effects of climate change.
Representing Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, Farauta emphasized that the intervention would help establish a continuous cycle of economic activities, ultimately creating a financial safety net for local communities and boosting the state’s economy.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting World Bank projects through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) initiative by ensuring close monitoring, evaluation, and control of its processes.
She also urged the federal government to prioritize the desilting of the River Benue to enhance international water transportation, improve irrigation, and expand economic activities in the region.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Abdullahi, noted that the federal government is collaborating with the Adamawa State government through ACReSAL to enhance food security.
He stated that the initiative covers all 774 local government areas, with each council benefiting based on its comparative and competitive advantages.
Dr. Abdullahi highlighted that farmers would receive support in the form of high-yield crops and modern technology to improve productivity while reducing production costs. He also stressed the importance of aligning food production with nutritional standards.
ACReSAL State Coordinator, Dr. Ibrahim Chinda, described the initiative as a crucial step toward sustainable natural resource management, with a focus on tackling climate change and deforestation.
Expressing gratitude, Raji Isa, a beneficiary from the Saminaka Cooperative Society, appreciated the intervention, saying it would significantly improve the livelihoods of farmers in the state.