Taraba Govt partners Thame Int’l, Trains Famers on Responsible Agricultural Practices
By Jethro Yerga, Jalingo
The Taraba State Government in collaboration with a reputable consulting firm in Nigeria, known as Thame International LTD, has set in motion, pragmatic moves to ensure that agricultural practices in the state are conducted in a manner that is socially responsible, environmentally sustainable, and economically beneficial to both investors and local communities
As part of the move, over 200 farmers across the state, had been mobilized and trained on the various ways through which Agricultural practices could be carried out responsibly to ensure sustainable development, food security and resilience to climate change as well as prosperity among farmers that will translate into economic advancement of the state and Nigeria at large
The two-day intensive training which took place at Shield Hotel, Jalingo, was anchored on the theme ” Enhancing Sustainable Land-based Agricultural Investments Through Inclusive Governance and Community Engagement”.
Speaking at the training, the Thame International LTD Consultant and coordinator of the training, Dr. Bamidele Oyedeji, said the training was part of efforts towards implementing the Framework for Responsible and Inclusive Land-Intensive Agricultural Investments (FRILIA), which forms one of the important criteria for states to access World Bank fund of 750 million naira under the BERAP project.
The consultant explained that FRILIA Program which has several component, is aimed at providing training on the principles and practices of responsible and inclusive agricultural investments, Creating a platform for dialogue between investors, government officials, and local communities among other things.
He said the program also aimed at enhancing social equity, boosting economic growth and helping farmers in the agro business to enable them have easy access to acquisition of land and the criteria require of them to access arable lands.
Dr Bamidele called on the participants at the training, to make use of the knowledge they acquired at the workshop and boost food production in the state, adding that when they put the knowledge in practice, it would go a long way to reduce importation of food into Nigeria
Earlier in an opening remark, the Taraba State Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Nicholas Oliver Namesan, disclosed that the state government was doing everything possible to improve the well being of the people and availability of food in the state
The Commissioner who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor of Taraba State on Agriculture, Hon Hassan Z. Maikasua, noted that Taraba State Government was running away from situations where people degrade lands and leave it without any value
He stated that the Framework (FILIA), once adopted and implemented by the State Government, would attract responsible agricultural practices that would contribute to sustainable development and improve the well-being of residents and citizens of the state
In their separate goodwill messages, the representative of the Commissioner for Budget and planning and the chairman, Civil Societies Organization, Mr Joseph Gimba, all stressed the importance of the program and emphasized that it would benefit farmers not only in agriculture but also in other areas of life.
