By Abdulaziz Abubakar Damare

The International Institute Of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in collaboration with USAID has trained over 35,000 small holder farmers on seed production across 7 LGA’s in Adamawa State.

The farmers from Yola South, Fufore, Demsa, Song, Guyuk, Hong and Gombi LGAs were trained and exposed to the application of improved varities of seeds such as Maize, Cowpea, Soyabeans and rice.

In an interview with Correspondent of this platform during conduct of the “Green Field Day” in Adamawa, the IITA Senior Agronomist, Mr. Azeez Oyeyemi said the programme has supported the small holder farmers with modern farming techniques & provided them with certified, fast growing and improved varities of seed to boost agricultural activities in the state.

The organization, he added has been training farmers in Adamawa since 2019 and they have been patronizing the new introduced seeds and that he said warranted the introduction of community based seed producer to ensure its availability.

Mr Azeez says “Green Field Day, is a great day to share agricultural ideas and knowledge with Extension workers, farmers and other stakeholders in the sector.”

In his remarks during the “Green Field Day” in Sabon-Pegi of Yola South L.G.A, the ward head of Sabon-Pegi, Mal. Sa’idu Buba described the new seeds introduced by IITA as the best ever.

He added “I have been farming for over five decades but the seed donated by IITA is the best so far I come across. It’s fast growing and we experienced bumpers harvest”

Also speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, the village head of Njoboli Fulani, Mal. Abubakar Bepetel commended IITA & USAID for their timely intervention to farmers in Adamawa State.

He appealed for other NGO’s to emulate the gesture by IITA towards boosting agricultural activities for food security in Adamawa and Nigeria at large.

Federal College Of Horticulture Dadinkowa Gombe state In Conjunction with Rutnan Techniques has begun a training for 100 unemployed youth and women in Adamawa south on agricultural production Facilited by senator Binos D. Yaroe.

Speaking at the inauguration on Friday, the resource person Dr. Auwal Lamba said the objective of the training is to generate employment opportunities for the youths.

He added: “To improve farming methods, remove the drudgery associated with traditional farming practices and increase food production in the state and the federation.”

Dr Fatima, said the training also aimed at reducing rural-urban migration of the youths.
Fatima advised the participants to be serious during the training and understand, saying, ”many out there are looking for such opportunities.’

Hon. Gibson Alexander and Hon Philip kenan in their separate remarks, also advised the participants to understand the importance of the agricultural value chain, in boosting their businesses and creating employment for others.
”God has blessed the state and the region with a fertile land, hence the need for you to take it’s advantage and be productive”, they told the participants

The participants , thanked the senator for facilitating such trainings and pledged to put what they have learnt into practice at the end of the course.

By Henry Agbu, Jalingo

Naturally, wheat has not been part of our cropping system over the years, unlike other cereals such as maize, rice, sorghum, and millet. The cultivation of wheat has not been taken seriously and was not included in the series of crops introduced to our region. This is possibly due to the unfavorable climate for wheat and our reluctance to adopt and try out new crops. However, wheat production in Nigeria has been increasing, especially across the northern states where there is an active irrigation system and an extended harmattan cold season. Wheat is naturally a temperate region crop and requires cold temperatures to thrive.

Wheat is a cool-season crop, meaning it grows best in cooler temperatures. Cold temperatures are crucial for wheat because they initiate the vernalization process. Vernalization is when the wheat plant is exposed to a period of cold temperatures, usually between 32°F and 50°F (0°C and 10°C), for a certain duration. This process triggers physiological changes in the plant, enabling it to transition from the vegetative stage to the reproductive stage, leading to the formation of flowers and ultimately grain production. Without vernalization, wheat plants may not develop properly and may have reduced yield potential.

In Taraba, we have been experiencing a reduced harmattan season over the years. The cold Harmattan weather we used to experience as kids growing up is no longer as prevalent. The advantage that the northern states have over Taraba is the extended harmattan season and colder temperatures, as well as the advantage of irrigation. Because Taraba enjoys a favorable rainy season, we have not taken irrigation farming seriously. However, as the population continues to increase and the need to feed the growing population becomes more obvious, it has become imperative for us to reconsider our stance on irrigation farming.

Since we do not practice irrigation extensively, we have also missed out on the benefits of adopting wheat farming over the years. Now that the federal government is pushing for wheat cultivation to reduce wheat imports and increase local wheat production, we need to examine how we can best take advantage of the government’s good intentions.

Fortunately for us in Taraba, we have one of the coldest plateaus in the country, the Mambilla plateau. This region is semi-temperate and has the ideal conditions for cultivating wheat during the wet season. However, due to insufficient efforts in introducing and promoting the crop, as well as providing necessary support like extension services and inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides, wheat is not a major crop on the Mambilla. Instead, maize is preferred because it can better withstand the cold and has a shorter germination period.

Moving forward, we should start the process of adopting wheat and including it in the Taraba’s Food Basket. The Mambilla plateau and surrounding regions like Kurmi and Gashaka local government areas also have the potential for successful wheat cultivation due to their colder climates. This will require government efforts to push for adoption through an international Taraba Wheat Development Programme, which will identify the coldest areas suitable for wet-season wheat production. 

Additionally, we should reconsider trials for dry-season wheat, which have not been successful thus far. Fortunately, the Lake Chad Research Institute, responsible for wheat research and development in Nigeria, has developed heat-tolerant wheat varieties that we should try in Taraba state, both during the wet and dry seasons.

Taraba state should seek the partnership of the Lake Chad Research Institute in Maiduguri and the Flour Millers Association of Nigeria, which have been at the forefront of wheat production in the country. They can provide technical support, share their experiences, and potentially offer funding to our farmers. The government must take the necessary steps and lead the way in this endeavor.