The North East Development Commission, NEDC, has distributed 1,000 bags of maize flour to vulnerable residents and Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, across Bauchi State as part of efforts to alleviate hunger and support struggling households.
The commission also distributed 5,000 bags of NPK fertilizer to farmers and associations in the state to boost farming activities and enhance food production during this year’s rainy season.
Speaking during the distribution exercise on Wednesday, the NEDC Bauchi State Coordinator, Alhaji Aliyu Isiyaku, said the intervention was part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to improve livelihoods and support communities across the North-East.
He explained that the maize flour distribution was aimed at cushioning hardship faced by vulnerable households and providing them with immediate food relief.
According to him, the fertilizer was provided to farmers and associations under the commission’s agricultural support programme to improve crop yields and contribute to food security.
“Since the beginning of this year’s rainy season, the commission has supported farmers across Bauchi State with about 5,000 bags of fertilizer. Some were handed over to trusted associations for onward distribution to their members, while the rest were distributed directly to farmers,” he said.
“Our primary objective is to ensure that farmers have access to modern agricultural inputs to achieve bountiful harvests and contribute to food supply in the state, the North-East, and the nation at large.
During the rainy season, there is hardly any input more important to a farmer than fertilizer. It is critical to achieving good yields, and we therefore hope for an abundant harvest,” he added.
Isiyaku said the interventions are part of NEDC’s broader mandate to revitalize Bauchi and other North-East states through projects and programmes aimed at improving the living conditions of the people.
He assured residents that the commission would continue to implement interventions designed to address the needs of vulnerable communities and support economic activities across the region.
Responding on behalf of the beneficiaries, the Bauchi State Chairman of IDPs, Malam Buba Musa Shehu, expressed appreciation to the NEDC for its continued support.
“We are always grateful for NEDC’s support. The maize flour distributed to our people at this time has truly been of great help to us,” he said.
Shehu, however, appealed to the NEDC and other relevant agencies to provide IDPs with social amenities, additional food items, and sustainable sources of livelihood to enable them to become self-reliant.
Some beneficiary farmers, including Saidu Abubakar and Safiya Musa Adamu, also commended the commission for providing fertilizer at a critical period of the farming season.
“This fertilizer came just when I desperately needed it for my farm. Thank you very much,” Saidu said.