Gombe farmers get grains processing plant to curb losses

Over 7,000 farmers in Gombe State have been targeted to benefit from the newly commissioned 20 metric tonnes grains processing plant to curb the post-harvest loss which was projected to be around 40% and threatens food security.

An agric-tech company, ThriveAgric in partnership with Mercy Corps launched its first multipurpose grain cleaning and milling facility in Gombe on Thursday, ThriveAgric’s CEO, Uka Eje, said that the facility would serve over 7,000 smallholder farmers enhancing the quality of grains such as rice, maize, and millet by removing impurities like stones and dirt.

Eje said that: “The advanced equipment, including temperature and humidity control systems, ensures that farmers can access premium markets with a projected income increase of up to 30%.

“This facility will reduce post-harvest losses, which have historically reached up to 40% in the region due to inadequate infrastructure, thereby positioning Nigerian grain to compete on both local and international scales.

“This milestone project, featuring a state-of-the-art facility with a processing capacity of 15-20 metric tonnes, is part of the Feed the Future Nigeria Rural Resilience Activity (RRA) initiative.

“The facility is designed to significantly boost agricultural productivity, expand economic opportunities, and strengthen resilience among smallholder farmers (SHFs) and agri-SMEs across Northeast Nigeria.”

Also, Governor Inuwa Yahaya, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Barnabas Malle, said the multipurpose grain processing facility marked a significant leap forward for the local agricultural economy.

“The state is proud to support ThriveAgric and Mercy Corps in this initiative, which stands to empower our smallholder farmers, create jobs, and establish Gombe as a hub for high-quality grain production. This project will positively impact our farmers, who are the backbone of our economy, and enhance the state’s agricultural value chain,” he said.

Speaking on behalf of Mercy Corps, Shadrach Gideon, explained that the partnership was to strengthen the resilience of rural communities by addressing pre and post-harvest needs.

“By improving access to quality inputs and reducing post-harvest losses, we are not only supporting economic resilience but also helping farmers realize their full potential,” he said.