By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri –
The Victims Support Fund (VSF) led by Gen. Theophilus Y. Danjuma (rtd) has flagged off the distribution of dry season farming inputs to farmers in Gamboru Ngala communities of Ngala LGA in northern Borno and Izge community in Gwoza LGA of southern Borno.
While flagging off the distribution on Saturday and Sunday respectively, Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State represented by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Bawu Musami appreciated VSF, saying: “Victims Support Fund has always been there for the state to give full support to the farmers of the state”.
VSF distributes farming inputs to Borno farmers
“Agriculture has always been the backbone of our nations economy and it is very significant in Borno state. Raining season farming is no more sustainable due to the effects of climate change and informed the need for an extensive irrigation farming..
Some of the farming inputs distributed to Borno farmers by VSF
“The dry season farming support from the VSF is timely and will go a long way in providing food in the state and the nation at large.
“I therefore urge the beneficiaries to make good use of the farm inputs given to them and make their communities have enough food,” Zulum said.
The governor also promised to continue to partner with the VSF in this directive as farming is the major occupation of the people of Borno State which informed the high priority the state government has given to Agriculture especially, dry season.acriss the state with the return of peace and security.
In her remark, the Executive Director , VSF , Prof. Nana Tanko, who represented the Chairman, Gen. T.Y Danjuma, expressed her delight with the large number of people that have returned back to their host communities.
VSF distribute farming inputs to Borno farmers
“This is the last major event to be implemented by VSF in Borno State which mean so much to the VSF. It is evident that it is a local government area that is adequately engaged in dry season farming,. So, we have no doubt that the items distributed will add a lot of value to the farmers,” Danjuma said.
“The intervention is part of the VSF 2023 project to support the Borno state agricultural initiative. Victims support fund has been working in the Northeast since 2014 providing succour to victims of insurgency in areas of peace building, livelihood and recovery, construction and Education.
“In this dry season intervention of VSF 3,000 farmers across the 2 Local Government Areas will benefit where Gamboru Ngala have 1,800 farmers and Isge have 1,200 farmers to benefit from the exercise
The Chairman, further, urged the beneficiaries to make proper use of the farms inputs effectively to make sure that they harvest the desired food produce at the end of the season.
He added that Agricultural extension workers were also trained by the VSF in the communities to guide the benefitting farmers on the dry season farming where in Gamboru Ngala 1,800 beneficiaries received their farm inputs.
Items distributed to the farmers in each of the communities include: 25 kg of rice seed 50 kg of fertilizer, 2 Litters of Insecticides, 1 Litter of herbicide and 1 Knapsack sprayer.
Some of the beneficiaries expressed their joy and gratitude to VSF for providing them with the dry season farming inputs at this crucial time of economic hardship while pledging to make useful and proper use of the items to boost dry season farming in their communities.
Highlights of the event include the presentation of the farm inputs by dignitaries, distribution to framers and group photographs among others.
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