Gombe- The Federal Government on Saturday assured farmers that it was taking appropriate measures to ensure that trans-border pests did not destroy their crops.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Audu Ogbeh, gave the assurance in Gombe at the flag-off of Aerial Survey and Control of Quelea birds and other pests.
Represented by Mr Kojah Babatunde, Assistant Director, Pest Control, the minister said the Federal Government was poised to address challenges hindering the attainment of self-sufficiency in food production.
He said that reports indicated that migratory quelea birds and other pests from neighbouring countries were posing threat to crops in the country, hence the decision to tackle the problem promptly through aerial spray in frontline states.
Ogbeh said that the exercise would help famers realize their dream of recording bumper harvest this farming season.
In his remarks, Officer in charge of Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in the state, Dr Musa Inuwa, said that the exercise was part of efforts of Federal government aimed at attaining
food security under the Agricultural Transformation Agenda.
Represented by Mr Baba Yila, Chief Fishery Officer in the ministry, Inuwa said similar exercise conducted in 2014 proved successful, translating in good harvest.
In his speech, Alhaji Buba Biri, Gombe State Commissioner of Agriculture, commended the Federal Government for its quick intervention, adding that the proactive steps taken had averted disaster.
Biri, who was represented by Mr Ishaya Ngale, Programme Manager, Gombe State Agricultural Development Programme, said people had been sensitized for the exercise and told not to panic upon the sight of helicopter hovering over their roofs or farmland.
Malam Gidado Abubakar, representative of farmers at the occasion, appreciated the gesture, saying that their fears had been allayed.
It would be recalled that the Minister of Agriculture held an emergency meeting with State Commissioners of Agriculture recently, sequel to reports about migratory quelea birds heading to Nigeria from some neighbouring countries.
After the meeting, it was decided that measures be taken to stop the pests from destroying crops, especially in 12 frontline states.