ADB assists flood affected farmers in Kogi

Flagging- off the distribution, Fadama II Project Coordinator in the state, Paul Ogumola, said  the power tiller tractors were distributed by ADB to accelerate cultivation of crops by  the flood affected Fadama farmers in the state.He said ADB had earlier provided inputs such as improved seedlings, agro-chemicals, fertilizers and  farm equipment, adding that the tillers […]

Flagging- off the distribution, Fadama II Project Coordinator in the state, Paul Ogumola, said  the power tiller tractors were distributed by ADB to accelerate cultivation of crops by  the flood affected Fadama farmers in the state.
He said ADB had earlier provided inputs such as improved seedlings, agro-chemicals, fertilizers and  farm equipment, adding that the tillers were the  remaining part of the facilities that were yet to be distributed to the flood affected fadama farmers.
The coordinator said the state government has so far committed N70 million as counterpart fund to  ADB-assisted projects, saying the government wants farmers to move from manual farming to the use of tractors to ensure food security.
Paul Ogumola said flood affected farmers in Ibaji Local Government Area got four power tillers, Idah two, Bassa two, Omala one, Lokoja one and Kogi Local Government Area one.
He, however, appealed to ADB and other donor agencies to partner with the state in its youth empowerment programme aimed at creating employment for the youths under the agricultural transformation agenda.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Femi Bolarin, said the equipment has dual usage of cultivation (plugging and pulverization) and transportation, saying that the exercise is aimed at reducing drudgery and also assisting in timely cultivation of farmlands.