Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Northeast Governors’ Forum (NEGF), has vowed to invest hugely in the agriculture sector and encourage the transformation of subsistence farming into Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the region to tackle hunger and starvation.
The forum is made up by the governors of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states.
In a statement issued at the end of the 10th meeting in Bauchi, the Forum said that the world was passing through a terrible food security crisis, especially with the war in Ukraine, climate change and poor agricultural practice.
“In the Northeast, member states resolved to continue to invest in the agriculture value chain and encourage the transformation of subsistence farmers into SMEs,” the Governor of Adamawa State and Vice President of the forum, Umaru Fintiri, who read the communique, said.
“The member states of the forum will support the procurement of improved drought-resistant and short-maturation seedlings, subsidise fertilizers and ensure that the region specialises in the production of such seeds.”
Governors Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Agbu Kefa (Taraba), Mala Buni (Yobe) and Babagana Zulum (Borno) who is the Chairman of the forum, attended the 10th Meeting.
The Forum appreciated the Government and People of Bauchi State for hosting the meeting, and resolved to hold the 11th Meeting of the Forum in Damaturu, Yobe State between 30th and 31st August 2024.