Mr Olitsa Maxwell, Country Team Leader,, 2-SCALE Programme said the distribution was aimed at supporting over 20,000 female Sorghum farmers with improved white Sorghum seed to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic.
Maxwell noted that Sorghum’ was one of the vital grains needed for good nutrition for women and children.
He said the crop was an arable commodity, when propagated well sorghum could attract a lot foreign exchange for the country.
According to him the company has brought an improved white sorghum seeds produced by Premier Seed to the female farmers in the two clusters.
The Country Team leader said, the two clusters are Kuki Cluster, Bebeji local Government, Kano State and Funtua Cluster Katsina State and the company targets 1000 hectares of farm lands in the clusters.
“The company is planning to bring Lapo Microfinance Bank to support the farmers with soft loans to enable the farmer purchase fertilizers,’’ he said.
Mr Adeshola Michael, Managing Director, Adefunke Desh Nigeria Limited said the company decided to support the female farmers in the area to cushion the effect of COVID-19 which eats too much into the livelihood of the farmers in the area.
He said: “ the company is one of the leading agro-allied companies based in Zaria; part of our corporate social responsibilities is to ensure that the farming season still goes on hence our partnership with 2-Scale Programme.”
The Managing Director who restates the company’s commitment to sustain the gesture enjoins the farmer to follow right agronomist practice while using the seed for best yield.
In his remarks, the District Head of Bebeji, Alhaji Tijjani Kuki commended the company for the gesture adding that the efforts would boost food security and reduce poverty in the area.
Represented by Alhaji Magaji Tijjani said the gesture has aligned with aspirations of the state and Federal Government and urged the beneficiaries to use the seeds judiciously.
A beneficiary Mrs Alice John, a resident of Nasarawan Kuki said there are many Female sorghum farmers in the area, adding that some women farm up to five hectares of sorghum.
She said prior to the interventions by Adefunke Desh Nigeria Limited through 2-Scale programme a hectare of sorghum produce about four to five bags of sorghum.
“Now we were trained and with the training one can get about 15 bags of sorghum in a hectare,’’ she said.
She added that the donation was timely because they have not finished planting the crop; adding that the improved seeds would further empower them to support their family.
THESHIELD Garkuwa
