Federal government has kicked off the 2023/2024 aerial spray against the menace of Quelea birds in Kebbi State and 11 other frontline states of the federation.
The other states are Sokoto, Katsina, Adamawa, Kano, Jigawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Zamfara and Borno.
At the flag-off of the programme at Ahmadu Bello International Airport, Ambursa, Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State capital, the minister of agriculture and food security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the choice of Kebbi to host the event was informed by its farming activities, especially the cultivation of rice and other crops.
He commended Governor Nasir Idris for hosting the exercise, which he described as a clear testimony of his desire to advance agricultural activities in Kebbi and other 11 frontline states in the federation.
The minister said the spraying of the harmful birds would enhance the livelihood of farmers and other actors within the agricultural value chain and guarantee food and nutrition security.
In his remarks, Governor Idris commended the federal government over its quick intervention. He said
Quelea birds and grasshoppers are natural disasters devastating both food and cash crops in the frontline states.
Idris described the commencement of the Quella birds’ spray as timely, stressing that it would stem the menace of the birds in the benefitting states.
