EU, Oxfam target 3000 Taraba farmers with €10m

The European Union (EU) in collaboration with Oxfam is investing €10 million on Small Scale Farmers, Fishermen, Livestock owners in Commodity Value Chain and Rural Enterprise in Taraba State.

The Representative of EU, Ambassador Montserrat Pantaloons Gerald made this known yesterday during the flag off of the European Union Support for Nutrition programme in Jalingo.

Amb. Pantaloons said the programme was targeted to help 3000 farmers produce food, and activate market.

She further revealed that by 2050, Nigeria would be the 5th most populous country, hence the need for it to go along with economic development.

Speaking, Country representative of Oxfam, Temitayo Omole, said 77 people in Taraba were living below poverty line. He hinted on the fact that, 75 people in Taraba State were into Agriculture,

while 77 were living below poverty line stressing that “We are trying to build the resilience of Small Scale Farmers, Fishermen and Livestock Owners in Commodity Value Chain and Rural Enterprise”.

He added that Prosell covers Takum, Zing, Kurmi, Donga, Wukari, Ardo kola with a budget of 10 million Euros.

In his address of welcome, the Taraba State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. David Ishaya Kassa, lauded the EU for their desire to invest in Taraba and called on other International Agencies to do same.

The Commissioner also pledged State Government’s determination towards ensuring that all investments initiated in the State were accomplished.

In his remarks, Governor Darius Ishaku appreciated European Union for its timely intervention, promised that the State will make use of the opportunity.

Ishaku added that Government had done much towards the improvement of Agriculture in the State.