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From Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Gombe
The Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) project in Gombe State has established a model farmhouse as part of a strategy to modernize agriculture, strengthen climate resilience, and promote sustainable farming systems across the state.
The initiative, which is being implemented under the ACReSAL framework, was disclosed by the Gombe State Project Coordinator, Sani Adamu Jauro, during an interview with journalists.
As part of capacity-building efforts, the farmhouse is to serve as a training hub for extension specialists. The facility is designed to expose officers to modern farming systems, soil health assessment techniques, and improved advisory methodologies to enhance service delivery to farmers.
Dr. Jauro described mechanization as one of the project’s most significant milestones in the agricultural sector, noting that modern farming systems can enable a family to cultivate and harvest over 100 hectares efficiently when supported with the right equipment.
He explained that multipurpose tractors procured under the project have been distributed to Local Government Areas (LGAs), giving farmers access at subsidized rates. According to him, many rural farmers cannot afford such equipment individually, but the intervention has drastically reduced the time required for land preparation.
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“What would have taken nearly three weeks of manual labour can now be completed within a short period. With the realities of climate change, timely land preparation is critical to productivity,” he said.
Beyond mechanization, the project has distributed drought-resistant seeds to over 55 farmer clusters statewide. The varieties are tailored to withstand irregular rainfall patterns, including late onset and early cessation, thereby improving yield stability under changing climatic conditions.
Dr. Jauro also highlighted the rehabilitation of the Balanga Dam Canal as a major infrastructure milestone. He noted that upon completion of the second phase, including secondary canals, the project will unlock opportunities for thousands of farmers to engage in year-round irrigation farming, ultimately stabilizing food supply, lowering market prices, and generating employment.
He added that in a push toward sustainable agriculture, the project has also established a recycling plant focused on compost production for organic fertilizer. The coordinator warned that excessive reliance on chemical fertilizers contributes to long-term soil degradation, adding that pilot demonstrations conducted with agricultural specialists are already showcasing the benefits of organic alternatives.
“Healthier soils will produce healthier food. Transitioning to organic fertilizer will address soil degradation challenges and support sustainable agricultural systems,” he stated.
Dr. Jauro further disclosed that the project has completed three years of its six-year lifecycle, with a midterm review scheduled for March. Participation in project clusters, he clarified, is inclusive of both men and women, with deliberate efforts to encourage women’s involvement.
