By Murtala Muhammad
Eleven communities in the seven local government areas of Bauchi North Senatorial District have benefited from Farmers’ Hub, a multitask initiative established by Foundation for Sustainable Smallholder Solutions (FSSS,) for improved agricultural development.
The benefiting local government areas are Gamawa, Giade, Itas Gaɗau, Jama’are, Katagum, Shira and Zaki.
The FSSS’ focus areas include Climate-smart agriculture, regenerative farming, youth and women inclusion, and financial access to farmers, with the value chains of rice, cowpea, sorghum, soybean, vegetables, maize and other staple crops.
The Farmers’ Hub is a building facilities that accommodates Rice Milling Machines, a shop that sells fertiliser, herbicide and insecticide as well as provision of extension service towards supporting farmers in the benefiting communities.
At the official lunch in Dogon Jeji, Jama’are local government area, the Executive Director of FSSS, Mr Isiah Gabriel said the Farmers’ Hubs across the benefiting LGAs were expected to serve as catalysts for community transformation, youth engagement, enterprise development and improved food systems.
He appreciated support of the state government, traditional institutions, project partners, technical teams, and the farming communities, whose cooperation and commitment according to him have made the initiative possible, encouraging them to take ownership of the facilities utilise them effectively.
The Executive Director FSSS assured the foundation’s commitment to advancing inclusive, climate-resilient, and market-driven agricultural systems that improve the lives of smallholder farmers across the state and the nation in general.
Programme Manager Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP) Alhaji Ya’u Muhammad described the initiative as thoughtful, expressing government resolve to sustain partnership with the foundation towards improving agriculture and citizens’ livelihood.
Emir of Jama’are, Alhaji Nuhu Ahmed Wabi, represented by Alhaji Alfa Abashe applauded the Foundation for the initiative and assured of its protection and sustenance.
