The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has commissioned a vegetable market in Yemaltu Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State as part of efforts to strengthen the agricultural value chain, improve farmers’ access to markets and minimise post-harvest losses.
The newly inaugurated facility is expected to enhance the marketing of horticultural produce, improve trading efficiency and create additional income opportunities for farmers across the state.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Executive Secretary of NALDA, Mr Cornelius Adebayo, said the project was established to address the persistent disconnect between agricultural production and market access, which has continued to reduce farmers’ earnings nationwide.
According to him, the vegetable market will provide an organised platform where producers can aggregate and sell their horticultural products directly to buyers.
“The true value of a farm is not measured by what is harvested from the soil, but by how efficiently that harvest reaches the market.
“The NALDA vegetable market is strategically located to provide a buffer between producers and consumers, ensuring that farmers have access to organised markets where their produce can be sold efficiently and profitably.
“This project forms part of NALDA’s broader agricultural transformation agenda under the Green Hope Project, which seeks to develop the entire agricultural value chain from production to marketing,” he said.
Adebayo disclosed that the authority is currently implementing its Open Field Horticulture Project in the Cham, Talasse and Tudu communities of Gombe State to promote commercial vegetable farming while empowering rural women.
He revealed that at least 100 women have already been enrolled in the programme, with each beneficiary allocated approximately 1,000 square metres of farmland for cultivating different vegetable crops.
He explained that participating farmers are being supported with improved seedlings, extension advisory services, irrigation facilities and other essential agricultural inputs to boost production.
“Our goal is not only to increase production but also to guarantee profitability and sustainability for farmers.
“NALDA has invested in irrigation infrastructure across the project sites, including the drilling of boreholes and installation of irrigation systems, to support year-round cultivation.
“We have also provided supporting infrastructure such as cold rooms, cloakrooms and sanitary facilities to improve post-harvest handling and create a more conducive working environment for farmers,” he said.
The NALDA boss further stated that security posts had been established around the project locations to safeguard facilities and ensure the safety of participating farmers.
He added that vegetables produced from the horticultural clusters would be aggregated and sold through the newly established market, creating a seamless system linking production, storage and marketing.
Adebayo also announced that the authority has proposed expanding the NALDA Mega Farm Estate Programme across the North-East following the commencement of similar agricultural development initiatives in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
According to him, about 500 hectares of land are currently being prepared in Bauchi for the project, while similar large-scale agricultural investments are planned for Gombe and other states in the region.
He noted that the proposed mega farm estates would feature modern agricultural infrastructure, including warehouses, processing centres, administrative buildings, farm hostels, irrigation facilities and access roads to support commercial farming.
“This project aligns with the Federal Government’s food security and economic diversification agenda under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope programme.
“Strategic investments in agricultural infrastructure will help create jobs, empower women and youths, attract private investment and accelerate Nigeria’s agricultural transformation,” he said.
Adebayo commended the immediate past Executive Secretary of NALDA, Mr Paul Ikonne, for initiating and completing the vegetable market project.
He also praised Governor Inuwa Yahaya for his administration’s commitment to agricultural development and for providing an enabling environment for the successful implementation of NALDA programmes in the state.
The executive secretary appealed to the state government to allocate additional land to enable the authority to expand its interventions and accommodate more beneficiaries.
He equally acknowledged the contributions of community leaders, farmers, development partners and other stakeholders whose support made the project a reality.
Adebayo urged beneficiaries and members of the host communities to take responsibility for maintaining the facility and ensuring it continues to serve future generations.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration, the immediate past Executive Secretary of NALDA, Paul Ikonne, said the initiative would enable farmers to sell directly to consumers while reducing dependence on middlemen.
He explained that although many farmers have access to farmland, they often lack structured markets where they can dispose of their produce directly to buyers.
“As a result, off-takers often purchase produce at low prices, while retailers make significantly higher profits.
“The idea behind this project is to connect buyers directly with farmers so that farmers can earn better returns on their produce while consumers also get fair prices.
“The market will sustain itself because it is being implemented in partnership with the state government, making it easier to manage and maintain,” he said.
