By Muhammad Sani Muazu
Smallholder farmers in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State are set to benefit from an intervention program spearheaded by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). The initiative aims to cushion the economic shocks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and enhance agricultural productivity.
The program, a flagship of AUDA-NEPAD under the African Union, focuses on promoting economic development, poverty reduction, social progress, and regional integration across African countries.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Local Government Implementation Team in Tafawa Balewa, the Bauchi State Coordinator and Focal Person of the program, Mrs. Lydia John Shehu, revealed that preparations were in their final stages for the program’s full rollout. She confirmed that the Bauchi State Government had already paid its counterpart funding, ensuring the seamless implementation of the project.
Mrs. Shehu explained that the program is designed to improve the living conditions of smallholder farmers by providing farm inputs and technical support to guarantee improved yields. Beneficiaries will be organized into clusters to cultivate selected crops during both the rainy and dry farming seasons.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Tafawa Balewa Local Government, Alhaji Sama’ila Wakili, represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Maigari Ahmad Jambil, pledged the local government’s commitment to supporting the initiative. He emphasized the importance of collaboration in ensuring the program’s success.
The Local Government Implementation Team includes representatives from traditional rulers, security agencies, youth groups, women’s organizations, and other stakeholders, reflecting a participatory approach to governance and development.
Bauchi State is one of seven states in Nigeria selected to pilot the AUDA-NEPAD intervention, with nine local governments, including Tafawa Balewa, chosen as beneficiaries within the state.
This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering smallholder farmers, enhancing food security, and addressing the economic challenges exacerbated by the pandemic.