Sesame seed cultivation stimulates farmers’ interest in Yobe

According to him, the Council and the Standard Trade Development Facility of the WTO are collaborating on the production, processing, storage and haulage of sesame seeds for exports. Adulugba assures sesame farmers of the Council’s support and getting sponsors for contract farming. NEPC will also provide the farmers with farm inputs; facilitate the processing of […]

According to him, the Council and the Standard Trade Development Facility of the WTO are collaborating on the production, processing, storage and haulage of sesame seeds for exports.

Adulugba assures sesame farmers of the Council’s support and getting sponsors for contract farming.

NEPC will also provide the farmers with farm inputs; facilitate the processing of sesame seeds for optimal yields and better pricing, while creating awareness on potential sources of funding for farmers.

Adulugba stresses that the Council’s assistance to the farmers in sesame seeds’ production is also aimed at promoting “non-oil exports to earn more foreign exchange for Nigeria and enhance the economic empowerment of Nigerians”.

It is, therefore, not surprising to see that many youths in Yobe, who had earlier abandoned agriculture, have now changed their minds on farming and are thinking of joining the proposed sesame seed farming cooperative groups.

Some of the youths, nonetheless, expressed dismay over the inability of the state government to participate in the sesame farming programme.

Bukar Mulima, a farmer, says: “It is sad to note that no state government official attended such programmes that are meant to provide employment opportunities to the people.

“I will join a farming group to see the potential of sesame farming before selling the idea to others in my village.

“I will cultivate sesame seeds alongside millet and beans. When I feel that the promises made on sesame seed farming are fulfilled to a certain extent, I will concentrate my efforts on sesame farming alone,’’ Mulina says.

Judging from the enthusiasm of the young farmers on sesame cultivation, it is somewhat clear that a growing number of farmers are willing to take up the challenge of sesame seeds’ production in Yobe.

Observers are glad to note that the new focus on sesame farming will enhance the people’s empowerment and the state’s economic growth. (NANFeatures)