A report was submitted to the state government on measures to boost the state’s agricultural production capacity for the 2024 cropping season and beyond. According to the report, the pressing issues of availability, affordability, and accessibility to food within Adamawa State, His Excellency, the Executive Governor, established a nineteen-member Food Security Committee. The committee was tasked with designing intervention strategies to address key priority areas for agricultural development. The key priority areas for development include:
- Immediate Relief and Yield Optimization: Focusing on enhancing productivity on existing farmlands to provide immediate relief and ramp up food production.
- Expansion of Agricultural Land: Clearing and opening up new agricultural lands to expand the existing agricultural footprint.
- Dry Season Crop Production: Exploring irrigable land to ensure all-year-round food production.
- Mechanization and Equipment Provision: Providing simple motorized agricultural implements and equipment to reduce drudgery in farming and mainstream mechanization.
- Agricultural Inputs: Ensuring the provision of adequate and quality agricultural inputs to farmers to improve farm yield.
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Services: Integrating agriculture with information technology for improved productivity and efficiency.
- Agricultural Extension Services: Strengthening extension services to train farmers on good agricultural practices, promote gender participation, and ensure adherence to performance standards and regulations.
- Inauguration and Terms of Reference
- The Committee was inaugurated on February 27, 2024, by the Secretary to the Adamawa State Government. It developed terms of reference (TOR) to guide its activities, including the development of a food security policy document, identification of key players, program development, coordination, and roadmap creation.
The Committee held several meetings to deliberate on its TOR. Considering the urgency of the situation and the need to propose interventions for the 2024 and 2025 cropping seasons, the committee prioritized the development of immediate programs. Specifically, it focused on land clearing for the expansion of farmlands in 2025. The Committee convened with all local government council chairmen on March 14, 2024. During the meeting, the state government proposed clearing at least 300 hectares of uncleared/virgin lands for agricultural purposes. The intention to provide inputs, technology, and extension services to farmers across all 21 local government areas (LGs) to increase food production by at least 30% was communicated. A timeline of one week was agreed upon for the submission of availability and location of the designated lands. Various local government council chairmen provided responses regarding the availability and location of lands for clearing and expansion across the State as of March 25, 2024. The establishment of the Food Security Committee and its proactive approach in addressing agricultural challenges signify a significant step towards ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural development in Adamawa State.