The Executive Chairman, Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (ZUBEB), Professor Nasir Garba Anka, has called on pupils in both primary and Junior secondary schools to inculcate the habit of farming activities for food sufficient in the state.
Professor Anka gave the charge at an Agric Show program organized by ZUBEB to assess the implementation of 2020/2021 school to farm program held at Teachers’ Training and Development Center in Gusau, the state capital.
“Agriculture is a major source of food to the nation and a strong driver for job creation among teeming members of the society,” he said.
The ZUBEB Chairman described the rescue initiative of the state Governor, Dauda Lawal, especially his efforts at farming growth and development to make Zamfara become food sufficient as a welcome development in the state.
He further explained that the focus of school agric show programme was to expose learners in basic education schools to plant and grow plants such as maize, groundnut, cassava, yam, guinea corn, vegetables and rearing of animals such as poultry, livestock production in the state.
Prof Anka explained that the Board had disbursed funds to schools for procurement of farm tools to 19 selected schools in 2020 and 25 selected schools in 2021, in addition to procurement of livestock to 11 selected schools in 2020 and 15 schools in 2021 for grassroot implementation of the programme.
He expressed optimism that, with this development,learners get introduced to the practice of agriculture, which in turn, will increase their knowledge.
“This is Beyond the theoretical aspects as well as build capacity of teachers and community as School Based Management Communities (SBMC) were fully involved in the implementation,” ZUBEB boss added.
He assured of continued support and assistance for the sustainability of the program and called on teachers to make the best use of the gesture.
He warned that the board would not accept any misconduct or misuse of the items provided for the success of the programme.
Earlier on, the Director School Services, Alhaji Garba Abdullahi said as a result of the program, participating schools use the proceeds realized from the program for the procurement of colour printer, uniform, exercise books chalks, little instructional materials and repairing some minor repairs in their respective schools.
During the program, prizes were presented to some pupils of junior and primary schools in the state.