Bauchi – OXFAM, a Canada based Non-Governmental Organisation said on Wednesday that it would partner with Bauchi State Government to improve the lives of over 10,000 farmers in five years.
Evelyn Mere, Associate Country Director, OXFAM, Canada, made this known in Bauchi while addressing a gathering at the launch of ‘LINE and BORN’ projects for the state.
Mere explained that an expected targeted of 10,000 farming households would benefit through a combination of crop, livestock and nutritional interventions.
She said that over 80,000 people in the state would benefit from the process through holistic approach of the LINE project.
Mere emphasised that the project would tackle poverty and malnutrition, creating wealth and employment opportunities towards ensuring sustainable economic growth and prosperity.
She said that the goals of the foundation was in line with commitment of the Canadian Government to deepening democracy, promoting rural economic growth for poverty reduction thereby enabling men and women to contribute and benefit from the project.
Mere recalled that the partnership process started two years when OXFAM approached Global Affairs Canada for partnership on agriculture transformation.
She noted that the partnership with the state government, which is a five years project, would enhance the Four Point Agenda of the state in agriculture, Education, Tourism and Health.
Mere pointed out that the project would assist the private sector, especially farmers and pastoralists, to have effective market access that truly increases incomes and profits.
She said that the reality in the country requires private sector companies on which communities produce and consume, and contribute to creating markets that are equitable and work for all to remain sustainably profitable.
The chief executive said OXFAM was a committed donor, enabling policy frameworks, government political will and eager communities willing to play their roles on the project as well as experienced team on ground.
She urged all actors to ensure that they play their roles according to the framework to enable the people of the state, especially those at the grassroots, to benefit from the project.
Dr Husseini Abdullahi, Country Director of PLANT International, while contributing, said that OXFAM would pump in $13.7 million US Dollars into the project.
Abdullahi said that over 2 million people which included women and youth would benefit from the project in the state.
Gov. Mohammed Abubakar, while declaring the launching of the occasion, said that the state government have reactivated its fertiliser company to produce enough fertiliser for farmers.
Abubakar, represented by Alhaji Abdu Saleh, his Chief of Staff, said that the state government had also provided land and agricultural inputs to farmers to encourage dry season farming.
He said that the state government had also provided improved seeds and fishing facilities to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in the state to enable them engage in agriculture.
Abubakar said that the project would be implemented in 10 Local Government Areas of the state and commended OXFAM for selecting the state.
Salamatu Babangida and Safita Garba, both farmers from Ningi and Shira Local Government Councils respectively called on the government to provide hybrid seeds, fertiliser and chemicals to farmers in good time if the project was to succeed.