From Umar Dankano, Yola
The North East Multi sectorial Crisis Recovery Project, MCRP has distributed Agricultural livelihood kids and farming equipment to farmers in Adamawa state.
Flagging off the distribution of the items in Yola Monday, State Project Coordinator of MCRP, Dr. Maurice Vunovolki said that the initiative was aimed at rejuvenating the agricultural sector which is facing setbacks as a result of Boko Haram crisis in the zone.
Vunovolki stated that the intervention in Agriculture will cover over 1000 cooperatives with a membership of more than 40,000 individuals noting that the first intervention in series of the project had 13,260 beneficiaries in 2018 to 2022.
Vunovolki added that the first phase of the project focused on stabilization and recovery, necessitating support to individual farmers while this phase targets registered cooperatives with a focus on value chain development and sustainability.
“The goal is to evolve these beneficiary entities into micro, small, and medium enterprises, enhancing the economic well-being of their members, communities and the state.
“The items and equipment distributed today are more than just resources; they are symbols of hope and renewal for our farmers, particularly for women and youth who have borne the brunt of the crisis”. Vunovolki stressed.
In her remarks, the World Bank representative and North East Coordinator (MCRP), Serena Cavicchi expressed gratitude for the support and cooperation given to the project by state governments in the zone, especially Adamawa state.
Cavicchi who told the gathering that she has been coming to the North East zone for over 7 years to monitor and evaluate the implementation of projects lauded the efforts of the MCRP team in the state urging them to do more for humanity.
She declared her satisfaction with the level of performance maintaining that all the projects and programs have direct bearings on the populace.
Earlier in his keynote address, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri commended the MCRP’s interventions for the state describing it as timely.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Professor Kaletapwa George Farauta, Fintiri said that the state encountered myriad challenges in the past and continues to grapple with them, including the repercussions of the crisis widespread poverty, environmental degradation and adverse effects of climate change.
Fintiri added that these adversities have substantially hampered the agricultural productivity posing threats to the livelihood of our farmers and the food security of the communities.
He also implored the beneficiaries to maximize the resources provided and embrace modern farming techniques and practices to enhance their yields and livelihood.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Justine Clement Mourinho applauded the interventions by the MCRP pledging that all farmers in the state have agreed to declare total war against hunger in the state.
Items distributed include; Complete Mini Mechanized farm tools, Certified Maize, Rice and Soya Beans seeds, Organic fertilizer, organic insecticide, and knapsack sprayers, large and small ruminants.
Other items were; Fodder cutting machines, Fish farming kits, Groundnut oil extraction machines and Tube Well Drilling Rigs.