Uhola: Zuru in bumper harvest celebration

Even though this year’s festival was celebrated late into the rainy season, Uhola is meant to be celebrated to send-off the rain by expressing gratitude to God. Among major activities on the first day set aside for agric show includes exhibition of variety of farm produce such cassava, sorghum, beans, corn, yam, tomatoes, pepper, fruits […]

Even though this year’s festival was celebrated late into the rainy season, Uhola is meant to be celebrated to send-off the rain by expressing gratitude to God. Among major activities on the first day set aside for agric show includes exhibition of variety of farm produce such cassava, sorghum, beans, corn, yam, tomatoes, pepper, fruits and many others.
This follows the Archery competition and a live hunting competition in the wild bush of the emirate. There is also the grain grinding competition by women and cultural entertainment by cultural troupes drawn from the four Local Government of the Emirate namely; Danko/Wasagu, Sakaba, Fakai and Zuru.
A Cassava farmer and former Counselor of Rikoto ward in Zuru local government area, Garba Mohammed, emerged Uhola 2014 Best Farmer of the year. He received two cows for producing over two tonnes of Cassava in the last dry farming season. He was also the 2013 Uhola Best farmer of the year with a yield of over one tonne in last year’s dry season farming.
Chairman of the 2014 agric show and the Director General, Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr Benjamin E. Dikki, commended the emirate for dedicating one day to showcase the rich agricultural potentials and farm produce of farmers in the Emirate.
He reminded the youths and people of the emirate that farming is the main root of the people of the emirate, saying youths have neglected farming and have grown to neglect the rich cultural heritage of  learning farming skills. H e lamented that parents in the state have failed to teach their children the skill of farming, which according to him could have reduced the high rate of unemployment and poverty in the state.
He urged parents and government to take measures to enlighten and encourage youths to embrace farming, adding, “Farming is the root of development that we grew up to know. It is the basis of farming skills that we learnt  from our parents that made us what we are today. Up till today, farming is the root of Nigeria’s economic development, which experts say has constitutes 30 percent of current Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Therefore, agriculture is not only important in Zuru but the entire country,” he added.
He called on the emirate to encourage the expansion of the agric show by inviting agric experts to organise a workshop to train farmers on different innovations on improved harvest, saying that will assist farmers to understand the innovation in modern farming in Nigeria.
Dikki, who donated N5 million for enhanced agricultural production and the preparation of the next segment of the festival, urged the community to introduce the office of Head of Farmers (Sarkin Noma) in the emirate.
He told Daily Trust that for any farmer to qualify being the Sarkin Noma of the emirate also known as Danwere in the emirate, the farmer must be able to produce the largest quantity of crops in the year.
“So, I donated N5 million towards establishing this competition to bring out the greatest farmer in the emirate, which is part of the Goodluck/Sambo transformation agenda of increased agriculture production to ensuring self sufficiency in food, to minimize importation,” he said.
Chairman of the 2014 Uhola Cultural Festival and Agricultural show, Retired Lieutenant General Ishaya Bamaiyi described the agric festival as wonderful foresight that must be kept alive.
He said holding the festival at emirate level could provoke communities that have lost touch with their cultures to rejuvenate them, adding, “To my mind, I hope you share this feeling with me that Uhola is sports, Uhola is entertainment, Uhola is recreation, Uhola is aesthetic, and Uhola is showing gratitude to the creator for His protection from evil influences and agricultural blessing which has to be celebrated,” Bamaiyi said.
The Emir of Zuru, retired Major General Muhammadu Sani Sami cautioned farmers to be mindful of weather warning by Meteorologist and plant early so as not to catch them napping, saying early maturity of variety could also save the situation.
The Emir, who was conducted round agricultural produce displayed at the ceremony, said the festival balances the long period of hard work with moments of leisure. Families and clans seize the opportunity of the festival to showcase their history, status and achievements.
General Sani Sami expressed appreciation to the state government and the people of the emirate for the support and contribution to the development of agriculture in the state.
Governor Saidu Dakingari said effort is being made by the state government towards making the Uhola festival a national event. Represented by the Commissioner for Commerce, Industry and Tourism, Muhammad Sani Rukubolo, Dakingari described the festival as an important event in Zuru land.
The Managing Director, Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company (KRPC), Mohammad Saidu, who led a team of management staff to the event said the company will focus on providing assistance to farmers in line with its Corporate Social Responsibility.
The MD, who was represented by the Manager, Public Affairs Department (PAD), Alhaji Abdullahi Idris said the agric show indicated that agriculture is still central to boosting the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Nigeria.
He called on individuals and other corporate organizations to contribute to the development of agriculture in order to reduce the dependence on oil in the country, adding, “The large agricultural produce in display has encouraged us to render more support much more than we have been doing to the festival,” he said.