The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), on Thursday inaugurated some rural projects across four major rural settlements in Gombe state.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the projects were inaugurated in Kulani, Popandi, Karel and Kumo communities in Balanga, Kaltungo, Shongom and Akko Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the state, respectively.
The projects inaugurated include five solar-powered boreholes, 60-pond fish farm clusters for young graduates and women as well as 68-solar streetlights.
Inaugurating some of the projects in Karel community of Shongom LGA of Gombe state, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Dr Mohammad Abubakar, said the projects are for the benefit of the communities.
Abubakar, represented by Dr Musa Inuwa, the State Coordinator, FMARD, Gombe state office, said the projects were done to improve the wellbeing and welfare of farmers who majorly dwell in rural areas.
He stated that the federal government is committed to creating the enabling environment for farmers to carry out farming activities with ease with a view to boosting food security.
He said that the interventions have become imperative because agriculture is key to the economic diversification agenda of the federal government as well as job creation for youths.
He stated that part of the reasons for executing rural projects is to make those communities comfortable for young people to live and farm, thereby reducing rural-urban migration.
Abubakar urged youths and women in Karel community, who are the beneficiaries of the fish farm cluster, to properly harness the potentials in fish farming to make a living for themselves.
He stated that fish farming is a lucrative venture and there is always market for them. He urged them to continue to use the facilities to boost food security in the country.
He further tasked the benefiting communities as well as their leaders to set up committees to ensure the sustainability of the projects, noting that resources are not as readily available as it used to be.
Some of the beneficiaries who spoke to NAN appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari and Dr Abubakar for executing live-impacting projects in their communities.
Mr Bulus Sure, Chairman of the Fish Farm Clusters in Karel community, noted that with the provision of the farm and constant water supply through the solar borehole, youth and women would continually be empowered.
According to him, there are 60 ponds in the Karel cluster and a pond could take between 500 and 1, 000 fishes.
Meanwhile, the beneficiaries of the solar-powered boreholes have appealed to the federal government to construct more boreholes to cater for the water needs of the dwellers. (NAN)
