800 sesame farmers receive free seed in Gombe

No fewer than 800 sesame farmers in Gombe state have received free seed from OLAM Nigeria Limited, the company’s Unit Manager, Mr Austin Akakabota has said. Akakabota, who made the disclosure at the launching of OLAM’s Sustainable Village Programme yesterday in Gombe, said the company had also sold fertiliser to the farmers at a subsidized price as part of its […]

No fewer than 800 sesame farmers in Gombe state have received free seed from OLAM Nigeria Limited, the company’s Unit Manager, Mr Austin Akakabota has said.

Akakabota, who made the disclosure at the launching of OLAM’s Sustainable Village Programme yesterday in Gombe, said the company had also sold fertiliser to the farmers at a subsidized price as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

He said the programme was designed to improve the business of the sesame farmers through distribution of high-yielding seeds, training on crop management practices and assist them to access market after harvest.

He said the company would increase the production capacity of sesame through strong collaboration with the Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme (GSADP).

“Each of the 800 farmers will collect one bag 4kg sesame seed, in addition to a bag of NPK and Urea fertilizer which will be sold to them at subsidized rate,” he said.

Mr Akakabota added that the company would buy the produce at prevalent market prices from farmers that would be willing to sale the produce after harvesting period.

In his remarks, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Dahiru Buba Biri commended OLAM for its support to sesame and other farmers in the state.

Represented by the Programme Manager of the GSADP, Mr Maina Binus Laban, the commissioner urged the farmers to make best use of the oppurtunity.