By Tola Gbadamosi
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has distributed 600 bags of fertilizers to three communities in Ondo State as part of efforts to eradicate illicit drug farming through its Alternative Development Programme.
The initiative, spearheaded by the agency’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mohammed Buba Marwa, is aimed at encouraging farmers to embrace legitimate agricultural practices while improving crop productivity.
The fertilizer, equivalent to a trailer load, was distributed among three pilot communities in Ifon in Ose Local Government Area, as well as Ilu-Abo and Eleyowo in Akure North Local Government Area, with each community receiving 200 bags.
Representing the NDLEA chairman at the event, the National Coordinator of the Alternative Development Programme, Jonah Kolo, said the intervention was designed to benefit the communities and encourage sustainable agriculture.
Kolo explained that the fertilizers and other support provided by the agency should be seen as a “seed fund,” meant to be nurtured and expanded by beneficiaries.
He added that the fertilizer, supplied by Boma Resources Nigeria Limited, is a special liquid formula, capable of increasing crop yield by up to 150 percent when properly applied to plants.
He also disclosed that farmers were provided with Jacto knapsack sprayers to aid the application of the liquid fertilizers.
Kolo noted that the distribution fulfilled a promise earlier made by Marwa when he flagged off the Alternative Development Project in the communities.
He added that the NDLEA chairman remains committed to attracting both public and private sector support to the project, revealing that discussions are ongoing with international partners including the United Nations, as well as development partners from Brazil, Thailand, Germany and Colombia.
Community members who benefited from the programme expressed appreciation to the agency for the intervention.
One of the beneficiaries, a community leader, High Chief Chike Okom, said the initiative would help discourage illegal drug cultivation and promote legitimate farming activities.
He urged residents still involved in planting illicit crops to desist and instead focus on cultivating food crops such as cassava and yam for the benefit of the community.
In Eleyowo community, a widow and pepper farmer, Mrs Angela Okikiola, expressed joy over the support, saying the fertilizer would significantly boost her harvest and improve her livelihood.
She said the improved yield expected from her farm this season would enable her to achieve personal goals, including building her own house.