Yobe to flood Nigerian markets with vegetables – Commissioner

The Yobe State Commissioner for Agriculture, Mustapha Gajerima, on Sunday said the anticipated bumper harvest of vegetables from the state would make vegetables available and affordable in Nigerian markets.
Gajerima told News Agency of Nigeria in Dayama, Yobe State that the state recorded increased irrigation farming of onions, pepper and tomatoes this season.
Gajerima said: “This season looks very different and promising right from the flowering to the yields, there are indications of very good harvests.
“The other advantage we have this season, is that many people have engaged in irrigation farming, starting with vegetables after which they will go into crop cultivation.
“I have personally cultivated 11 hectares of onions, pepper and tomatoes here in Dayama, which also provides training programme to youth with interest in farming.
“Some national legislators, members of the state assembly, my colleagues in the state executive council and elites have also engaged in irrigation farming to promote food security, job creation and revenue generation.”
Gajerima said the growing number of irrigation, livestock and fish farmers in the state would increase production to meet the food, beef, dairy and fish needs of Yobe State and beyond.
He said: “We will commence harvest of the vegetables this week. We are expecting two more harvests after which we will cultivate rice and wheat on the same farm under the irrigation scheme.”
He promised that government will encourage farmers with inputs to irrigate the basins along the 765 km Yobe river.
Gajerima noted: “Irrigation farming looks more promising here in the state, we will make good use of the available resources to ensure food security and diversify the economy.”