Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata representing Birniwa/Guri /Kiri-Kasamma federal constituency of Jigawa State has explained that the environmental challenges of desertification, flooding and typher grass which has been threatening the State in the last sixteen years was receiving federal government’s attention for the first time.
Speaking with DAILY POST in Abuja, he stressed that Jigawa State known for its commercial agriculture in the North Western Nigeria had in the last sixteen years being threatened to the extent that farmers are now losing their crops to flood on annual basis.
Expressing concern, Fulata revealed that he had moved a motion to that effect, which was adopted by hthe House of Representatives sometimes last year. He said that was the reason funds were appropriated through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources in 2016 budget so that those challenges could be tackled.
“I was so touched by the situation, and it was the first motion I moved on the floor of the House of Representatives which was graciously adopted and forwarded to the Executive and I am happy that reasonable funds have been appropriated through the Federal Ministry of Water Resources to that effect in the 2016 budget,” he disclosed.
Fulata explained that over the years, Dams that were constructed to serve dry farming have been washed away by floods and filled up with Sand, thereby growing typher grass, a challenge, he said, made it difficult for rice farming and other staple crops.
“In Jigawa State, most Dams have been washed away by flood, while some portion have been sand-filled which grows typher grass. Because of this, farmers can no longer cultivate rice, tomatoes, onions and so on”, he said.
On incessant conflicts between farmers and Cattle rearers, he suggested that government should create a grazing reserve under land use Act which he said, the National Assembly was ready to support so as to enable a lasting peace. He also expressed disappointment on the quantum of agricultural products lost to crisis on daily basis as well as killings.
“Under the Land Use Act, it is government that has powers to create a grazing reserve and I want to suggest even as National Assembly would support so that killings on both sides can stop”, he maintained.
He added that the diversification of the economy can be successful if it involves holistic approaches , hence, government should also intervene in other parts of the country where there are obvious threat to agriculture.
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