NALDA to establish vegetable market to prevent post-harvest loss

Prince Paul Ikonne, Executive Secretary, National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), has said plans were being made to establish a vegetable market to avoid post-harvest losses.

Ikonne, in a statement issued Tuesday in Abuja, said the market was necessary due to the perishable nature of the vegetables.

He said the market would be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for farmers to store their vegetables.

“Having provided us with the enabling environment, NALDA will provide farmers with a ‘NALDA market’ for vegetables and a land. That project will be completed before the end of February 2022.

“NALDA will also locate the first integrated agricultural farm in the state of Gombe. We encourage you to make it available as well as we lay the groundwork for this month.

“We want to thank Governor Muhammad Yahaya of Gombe for his commitment to achieving President Muhammadu Buhari’s vision of ensuring food security, engaging youth and reducing unemployment,” he said.

The executive secretary thanked relevant stakeholders for their partnership and called on other states to partner with the Federal Government for the benefit of the people and the entire country.

“Your Excellency, I urge you to continue to create the enabling environment for federal projects and support for NALDA cannot go unnoticed.

“We are positioned to support the president’s vision of lifting millions of people out of poverty and involving them throughout the agricultural production value chain.

“And NALDA will engage more youth among farmers if you provide more land as an agriculture-friendly governor,” he said.

Yahaya praised NALDA for the project and promised to support all the agency’s ongoing projects as they would benefit the people of Gombe and boost agriculture. (NAN)