The Nasarawa State Government has donated 400 hectares of land to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Awe and Keana Local Government Areas (LGAs), for agricultural purposes, with a view to addressing food insecurity.
Speaking on Saturday, in Keana Local Government Area (LGA) while handing over the land to the representatives of UNDP, Mrs Munirat Abdullahi, Special Adviser to governor Abdullahi Sule on Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Development Partners, said the donation was aimed at ensuring food security in the state, through mechanised farming.
The Special Adviser explained that the livelihood project was a component of the peace building projects of the government, in collaboration with the UNDP, to address the plight of persons affected by crisis.
She added that 300 farmers each from Jangwa and Ribi communities of Awe LGA and Giza and Kadarko in Keana LGA, whose means of livelihood were affected during the crisis, were the ones targeted to benefit from the gesture.
“Over 10, 000 family members are expected to also benefit indirectly from the positive impacts of the gesture at the end of the programme,” the SA to the governor, added.
Abdullahi further stated that besides making available the 400 hectares of land in the benefiting communities, the state government would also offer technical assistance, while the UNDP would provide farming inputs, equipment and other resources to ensure the success of the programme.
She noted that the state government would always work with all genuine organizations towards improving the living standards of the people.
Abdullahi explained that the projects were in line with the policy of the present administration in the state, to boost agricultural activities with a view to creating employment opportunities for the youths.
The SA urged corporate organizations and wealthy individuals to invest in agriculture, to enhance food security and eradicate restiveness among youths in the country.
Receiving the land on behalf of the UNDP, Enyi James, expressed gratitude to the state government for the gesture and support towards improving the lives of farmers.
James, who is the Project Manager of Thrive Agric, an implementing partner of the UNDP, assured the government that they would soon commence agricultural activities in the area, to assist in addressing issues of food security in the state and the country.
He explained that they would train the farmers on modern techniques, provide boreholes and supply them with farming inputs , to enable them engage in dry season farming.
The Project Manager noted that by the time the programme commenced, it would go a long way in changing the fortunes of the farmers for the better.
