Agricultural Development: Alh Gettado lauds Gombe gov, Yahaya

By Matthew Atungwu

Gombe State Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Alh Muhammad Gettado, has lauded the state governor, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya for his giant strides in the agricultural sector of the state.

Alh Gettado gave this appreciation in his welcome address on the occasion of the flag-off of sales and distribution of fertilizer for the year 2022 farming season at Farm Service Centre, Dukul, Kwami LGA of the state.

While expressing his delight and commending the efforts of the state governor for his determination to develop the agricultural sector in the state, Alh Gettado said the Flag-Off was an event that many people look forward to because of the importance to the Agricultural sector as well as to the people of Gombe State.

“This is evident from the number of projects and programmes executed since the inception of this Administration.

“The commitment of His Excellency, no doubt stems from His excellent knowledge that agriculture remains the foundation and key driver of our economy, our teeming populace, most especially those in the rural areas depend largely on Agriculture for their livelihood and economic survival.

“With the cost of Fertilizer in the market, many would have doubted the sales and distribution of fertilizer in the State this year.

“This comes down to the commitment and resilience of His Excellency Alh. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.”

According to Alh Gettado, the state Ministry of Agriculture and entire teeming farmers will forever remain grateful to the governor for all the magnanimous efforts he had been showing to the production of food in the state.

“You may wish to recall that this administration procured fertiliser, transported it to the various Polling Units in less than one month from inception.

“His Excellency has procured and distributed about 900 metric tonnes of NPK 20:10:10 and free seeds for dry season farming in 2020.

“You will agree with me that this gesture has helped the growth and development of dry season farming in the State.

“His Excellency has provided vaccines for all our animals for three consecutive years. This has never been achieved in the history of Gombe State.

“As a result of this effort, this was recognized by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural

Development (FMARD).”

 Alh Gettado said the State was chosen for the Flag-Off for the North-East Vaccination against Trans-boundary Animal Disease (TAD’s) which was recently carried out in Dadin Kowa Y/Deba of Gombe State, stressing that with the coming of the current administration, the issue of Herders/Farmers conflict has been reduced to the barest minimum through the constitution of farmers/herders conflict resolution committee, which according to him is the vision of the charismatic and focused Governor Alh. Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya.

He appreciated the governor for the provision and release of counterpart of funds for both Sassakawa, UNDP (GSADP), NG. CARES of Fadama and other projects, adding that activities in those areas have picked up and the impacts of the projects were being felt all over the state and from household to household.

“This year alone, the Ministry in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has carried out aerial spray on two different occasions; one was carried out in February, while recently in June another round of aerial spray was carried out in the State. All these are done to eliminate crop pests such as Quella birds and other crop pests.

Bemoaning the depleting of the strength of the staff in the Ministry, Alh Gettado sought the consideration of the governor in the areas of employment of agriculture professionals in the Ministry and the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP).