Adamawa State government has empowered 400 agricultural cooperative societies to improve food security in the state.
Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri said his administration had in 2023 empowered 5,000 people as it realised the importance of cooperative societies in the development of societies.
Represented at an event to empower the latest beneficiaries by his deputy, Prof. Kaletapwa Farauta, the governor said food insecurity breeds all forms of vices and criminality, hence the empowerment by the state government to foster sustainable development and prosperity in the agriculture sector.
He stressed that empowering 400 cooperative societies who are into dry season farming is a testament of the present administration’s dedication to farmers.
He said the programme aligned with the vision for a robust, self-sufficient and resilient agricultural sector as well as the eight-point agenda of the administration.
The governor encouraged the beneficiaries to embrace the opportunity for growth and innovation to guarantee a flourishing, sustainable and prosperous farming community, adding that the government is working towards ensuring lasting peace between farmers and herders for agricultural activities to thrive.
Earlier, the commissioner for entrepreneurship development James Iliya described dry season farming as a pillar of food security, income generation and sustainable development.
The commissioner, who acknowledged the challenges of change and weather pattern, called for a shift in perspective and approach to agriculture from a traditional practice to a dynamic and thriving businesses.
He said 400 agriculture cooperative societies with 4,000 members were empowered with 645 items such as Urea, NPK, sprayer, improved seeds, water pumps, herbicides among others.
The president of Cooperative Professionals Japhet Wakili on behalf of the benefitting societies thanked Governor Fintiri for the gesture and pledged their support for the state government.
In February 2023, 492 agricultural cooperative societies with 5,000 members were empowered.
