From Umar Dankano,Yola.
The European Union in collaboration with OXFAM International have donated dry season farming implements worth millions of Naira to thirty nine (39) selected farmers free of charge in Adamawa state.
Distributing the equipments to the affected farmers at a ceremony held at the Adamawa state Agricultural Development Program(AADP) office in Yola South local government Area weekend,state Cordinator of OXFAM, Mr.Bamaiyi Enock said the gesture was to support identified outstanding farmers for vast food production.
Enock stated that the project is part of the community advancement move of the EU and its development partners code named ‘OXFAM strengthening active citizenship and systems for improved service delivery’ (OSAID) being implemented in Adamawa and Kebbi states.
Enock told the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the water pumping machines and their accessories especially for irrigation farming noting that,EU is donating these equipments to them free of charge due their commitment,loyalty and level of vulnerability.
“The EU under its OSAID intervention program is donating these water pumping machines free of charge not as a revolving grants that you are used to under the concluded PROACT project.
“All of you were carefully selected from your various local government councils due to your outstanding contributions in the dry season farming and we urge you to make good use of these equipments to improve your productivity”.He appealed.
In his address,Program manager of the Adamawa state Agricultural Development Program (AADP),Adamu Mu’azu applauded the gesture of the EU and its development partners reiterating the readiness of the state government to render any support and cooperation when the need arises.
Muazu stressed the importance of agricultural revolution globally which according to him is to addressing food security challenges urging the beneficiaries to be good ambassadors of the state in the scheme.
Responding on behalf of the 39 beneficiaries in their separate submissions,Doris Ayuba and Rabo Westlie expressed gratitude to EU for the intervention maintaining that the gift is a booster for them to put more efforts in the farming activities.
They both confessed that before the support,they have being applying manual or local procedures to watering their crops and vegetables explaining that it will go a long way in easing their sufferings .
Our Correspondent reported that dry season farming implements distributed to the farmers included;39 Water pumping machines with their horses,as well as maintenance kits valued at £6,246.66 equivalent to N2,561,130.00.
