By Ahmed Abba

The Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) on Tuesday in Nguru distributed improved crop seeds to farmers in Maja-kura community and announced plans to establish a seed bank.

Mr Harry Junior, Coordinator of the NCF Hadejia-Nguru Wetlands Conservation Project, said the activity was part of a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)-supported climate change adaptation initiative in Yobe.

He said the improved seeds, including soybean, cowpeas, sorghum and millet, would be stored in the seed bank since the planting season was over, to ensure future access for farmers during subsequent farming seasons.

“The initiative will also serve as an exchange, where farmers provide crop residues after harvest in return for seedlings.

“The residues will then be processed into animal feed and packaged, creating additional income for communities,” Junior explained.

He said that youths would be trained and engaged in processing the animal feeds, while women would benefit from packaging and sales to strengthen household income.

The coordinator added that the project sought to promote empowerment, skill acquisition and sustainable income generation for farmers, while addressing youth restiveness and reducing women’s redundancy.

Also speaking, Dr Michael Nkereuwem, a resource person and senior lecturer at the Department of Crop/Soil Science, Federal University Dutse, took the beneficiaries through the advantages of improved seeds for climate change adaptation.

Nkereuwem also explained planting methods, benefits and maturity duration of improved seeds to the beneficiaries.

Key stakeholders present at the event include officials from Yobe’s Ministry of Agriculture, Nguru Local Government Area, Yobe Ministry of Environment and traditional leaders of the beneficiary communities.

In his remarks, Al-amin Umar, the Deputy Director of Agriculture, Nguru Local Government Area, expressed satisfaction with the quality of seeds distributed to the farmers.

He said the improved varieties were free from pests and diseases, adding that farmers had also been trained on appropriate planting methods, including the number of seeds per hole and proper spacing.

“I am very impressed with the Nigerian Conservation Foundation. They have lived up to their promise to support multiple communities in Nguru Local Government,” Umar said. (NAN)

Edited by Christiana Fadare