From Ahmad SAKA, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has Flagged off queller birds spray at the Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa international airport Bauchi as part of effort to boost food production in the state The exercise is to be conducted in Local Government Areas of Alkaleri, Kirfi, Warji, Jama'are, Misau, Giade, Toro and Shira.
The Governor was represented by the state commissioner Ministry of Agriculture Prof. Simon Madugu Yalams.Explained that the sum of forty five million Naira (N45,000,000.00k) has been approved for the procurement of Agrochemical and other equipments in response to a recent outbreak of insects and pests in farmlands across some local government areas of the state.
He said that the move was to ensure timely and effective control of the outbreak due to its emergency need. The Governor described agriculture as the backbone of Bauchi economy, saying that the sector employs over 75% population of the State.
He said, that his government has since inception, made a lot of efforts towards transforming the agricultural sector from being a way of life of the people to a business that will enhance the earning power of the teaming farming families.
The Governor said that the transformation has been carried out in order to attract investors, donor agencies and development partners both within and outside the country.
He said that the various agricultural intervention programmes in the State is meant to restructure the sector for the betterment of farmers and the entire citizens as well as create an enabling environment for investors.
The Governor said that the Agricultural transformation policies of the Federal Government has made positive impact in the sector, trading to increased yield and production, especially grains.
He explained that the yield increase has attracted Quelea birds and other pests in the 12 frontline States of Northern Nigeria including Bauchi State, and the bird is one of the most dangerous agricultural pests devastating crop production, threatening food security not only in Nigeria but Africa in General.
He noted that Scientists have estimated the number of Quelea birds at around 100 million, thus, a flock of 2 million Quelea birds can destroy 20 tonnes of grains (Rice, Millet or Wheat) on just one day.
The Governor said that the flocks of Quelea birds attack and destroy millions of hectares of agricultural farms and fields annually, leading to substantial grain deficiency in the country.
“These birds are migratory in nature, therefore, the only method of controlling these destructive pests is by aerial spray of chemicals as well as ground control by the State Ministry of Agriculture fumigation team”, the Governor emphasized.
He informed the affected communities where the aerial spray will take place, with the plane flying at a lower altitude not to panic, also warned them against eating any of the dead birds because they are highly poisonous.
Professor Yalams who appreciated the Governor for his continued support and prompt response to the agricultural sector, pledged the ministry’s total commitments to the Governor to enable him achieve his developmental objectives in the agricultural sector. State.
The Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari who was represented by the Zonal DirectorFederal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Bauchi, Daniel Abarshi assured farmers in the North-East subregion of adequate supply of pesticide in order to protect their produce from crops pests especially Quella birds.
The Minister described Quella birds as the most destructive of the pests which if left unattended to can cause severe loss of farm produce to the farmers.
He said that the Ministry will always embark on preventive measures to ensure that farmers got the best of harvests of their crops at all times of the year.
Abubakar Kyari stressed that the focus of the administration is to ensure availability of food and promote food security in the country.
He said the exercise which is a periodic one will tackle the menace of Quella birds which are destructive in nature stressing that the exercise will protect dry season farmers especially rice and other cereals.
He then urged the state government to complement the efforts by following up with the ground exercise after the aerial spray in order to make it very effective.
The Minister said that all the security agencies in the state have been briefed about the exercise while the registration number of aircraft has been given to them as a way of protection of the personnel.
He appealed to the people not to see the dead birds as easy and free meal as it will be poisoning to eat them having been sprayed just as he also warned them against using the waters for the moment.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture Ibrahim Yushau Isah appreciated the Governor for his continued support and prompt response to the agricultural sector, pledged the ministry’s total commitments to the Governor to enable him achieve his developmental objectives in the agricultural sector.
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