In light of the tough economic situation in Nigeria, the First Lady of Gombe State, Hajiya Asmau Inumah Yahaya, has launched an initiative aimed at improving food security in a region that has great potential for agriculture. This program involves 50 students from various primary and secondary schools across the state, and it is a positive move because it follows the idea of “catching them young.” This means teaching children early on about the importance of agriculture and how to make the most of the natural resources that Nigeria has been blessed with. This initiative also supports the vision of Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, who encourages young people to focus on utilizing the country’s abundant resources.
Gombe State was created from the former Bauchi State on October 1, 1996, and covers an area of 18,768 square kilometers. Out of this, 6,099 square kilometers are designated for expanding farming activities. Agriculture is a major part of life in Gombe, employing about 80% of the population, and 35% of the land is currently used for growing various crops. Some of the crops that thrive in this area include groundnuts, cotton, cowpeas, peppers, sugarcane, and tobacco. Additionally, food crops like maize, guinea corn, millet, rice, sorghum, cassava, okra, and onions are also cultivated.
The state is not only rich in crop production but also has excellent grazing land suitable for raising livestock. There are plenty of water resources available, which allow for affordable irrigation and year-round farming. For instance, the Dadin Kowa Dam and Balanga Dam, along with other rivers and lakes, support fishing as a profitable business. This fishing initiative is being promoted by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, especially as Gombe has welcomed many people displaced by the Boko Haram conflict in neighboring states. The success of these efforts has been supported by international donor agencies.
For example, the African Development Bank has contributed significantly through programs aimed at providing basic services and empowering livelihoods, especially for those displaced by conflict. The Dadin Kowa area features a 12-hectare farm with 12 fish production ponds, six nursery ponds, and a modern fish hatchery. These facilities are further enhanced by a fish feed mill operated by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources.
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With the new Agric Youth Club initiative led by the First Lady of Gombe, it is important to carefully plan how to educate these students about the various aspects of farming. This education will help them discover their interests and strengths in agriculture, allowing them to develop their skills accordingly. Once they gain this knowledge, they will be better positioned to take advantage of the support offered by international donor agencies.
To ensure the success of this food security initiative, the initial group of 50 students should gradually be expanded. Some of these students should be encouraged to pursue agriculture in higher education based on their abilities. By gaining knowledge of modern agricultural techniques, Gombe State could become a major source of food for the nation. If other states follow this example, it could lead to improvements in the entire food production process, from growing and processing to preserving and packaging food. This would ultimately help Nigeria reduce its reliance on imported food products that can be produced locally.
