Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has flagged off the distribution of farm inputs under the state’s 300-hectare pilot farm initiative, a programme aimed at combating food insecurity and reducing youth unemployment across the state.
The launch event took place at Gani-Gaku in Demsa Local Government Area, where farmers received inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides, seeds, and other essential materials to support agricultural production.
Under the scheme, each of the state’s local government areas is to be allocated 300 hectares of farmland, with individual farmers receiving one hectare each for cultivation.
The pilot phase covers six LGAs: Demsa, Ganye, Hong, Maiha, Madagali, and Michika, with plans to expand the programme to all 21 local government areas in the state.
Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Fintiri described the initiative as a proactive measure to prevent food crises and promote economic growth through agriculture.
“The 300 hectares per LGA pilot scheme is our well-thought-out response to combating food insecurity, which could ravage us if not addressed early,” Fintiri said. “It is a deliberate strategy that combines campaigning, visioning, and best practices.”
He explained that the programme involves sensitizing communities on sustainable farming practices and encouraging households to produce enough food for their own needs and potential income generation.
“This vision aims to confer prosperity on every household and the state through a green economy,” he said. “As a government, we are leading the way by incentivizing farmers through best practices, including cluster farming programmes, improved seed distribution, and land preparation for expanded farmlands.”
Governor Fintiri also disclosed that a State Food Security Committee, established last year and comprising an inter-ministerial team and experts, has been advising the government on modern agricultural solutions. One of its key recommendations was the cluster farming model now being piloted.
“This committee has worked with thinking caps, rolled-up sleeves, and boots on the ground to provide the right advisory on making agriculture smart and attractive to our youth and growing population,” he said.
He added that under the pilot phase, 300 farmers in each of the participating LGAs would work on prepared farmland and receive inputs and extension services.
“I call this an experimentation. Once we get this pilot right, we hope to scale it up across all 21 local government areas of the state,” the governor said.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor David Finchiwa Jatau, said the initiative aims to foster collaboration among farmers by enabling them to share resources and attract production support and structured market opportunities.
“The scheme will enhance pooled resources like extension services, making them more effective,” Jatau noted.
The initiative, as gathered by WorldClass247News, is part of broader efforts by the Adamawa state government to boost food production, create jobs, and promote sustainable agriculture.