Since the revival of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) by President Muhammadu Buhari over two years ago, the agency has continued to achieve overwhelmingly positive results in its core mandate to develop the full potential of the vast arable lands in Nigeria for the provision of food and fiber security for the citizenry.Peder B. Helland –
NALDA has initiated various innovative programs and projects across the country to motivate more people into farming, especially women and youth in various rural communities as well as assisting both small and large-scale farmers with essential implements to increase their yields and income. In turn, this will ultimately assist in diversifying the nation’s economy and enhance revenue generation through the agricultural sector.
In Abia State, NALDA’s intervention in agriculture has had a significant impact on communities where the agency established integrated farms to provide the local populace with opportunities and invaluable training that would help them engage in active farming as part of its Women in Agriculture and Back to Farm initiatives.
The pilot phase of these NALDA integrated farm projects have fully taken off in Ariam, Ikwuano Local Government Area with the construction of a fish village, banana plantation and processing facilities for fish, snails, grasscutters and other livestock harvested from the farm. Similar farms located in Okpulumobo and Osusu communities in Aba North and Osisioma LGAs respectively have also sprung into operation.
The launch of these innovative projects necessitated a two-day awareness and advocacy programme by NALDA officials and facilitated by Dondirty Nigeria Ltd in Abia State to sensitise residents and volunteer farmers in the two communities where NALDA integrated farmers are sited.
Addressing the large audience that converged on the premises of NALDA farm at Okpulumobo community, the project coordinator, Obinna- Njoku Obinna, highlighted the agency’s activities in other parts of the country and particularly the various community-based projects currently undertaken in Abia State.
