Gombe: The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has inaugurated a vegetable market in Yemaltu Deba Local Government Area of Gombe to strengthen agricultural value chains, improve market access, and reduce post-harvest losses. The facility is expected to enhance market efficiency for horticultural producers, create income opportunities for farmers, and improve the marketing of agricultural produce in the state.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, NALDA Executive Secretary, Mr. Cornelius Adebayo, stated that the market was designed to bridge the gap between agricultural production and market access, a challenge that has continued to limit profitability for farmers across the country. He emphasized that the market would serve as a critical link between producers and consumers by providing a structured platform for the aggregation and sale of horticultural produce.
Adebayo explained that the NALDA vegetable market is strategically located to provide a buffer between producers and consumers,
ensuring that farmers have access to organized 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.
The authority is implementing its Open Field Horticulture Project in Cham, Talasse, and Tudu communities in Gombe State to empower rural women through commercial horticultural production. No fewer than 100 women farmers have been enrolled in the programme, each allocated about 1,000 square meters of farmland for cultivating various vegetable crops. Beneficiaries are receiving improved seedlings, extension services, irrigation facilities, and other production inputs to enhance productivity.
Adebayo noted that NALDA has invested in irrigation infrastructure, including drilling boreholes and installing irrigation systems, to support year-round cultivation. Supporting infrastructure such as cold rooms, cl
oakrooms, and sanitary facilities have also been provided to improve post-harvest handling and create a more conducive working environment for farmers. Security posts have been established to safeguard project assets and ensure the safety of participating farmers.
The executive secretary disclosed plans for the expansion of the NALDA Mega Farm Estate Programme across the North-East, following the commencement of agricultural development activities in Dass, Bauchi State. About 500 hectares of land are being cleared and developed in Bauchi State, with plans to replicate similar large-scale agricultural investments in Gombe and other states.
Adebayo highlighted that the proposed mega farm estates will feature modern agricultural infrastructure, including farm hostels, warehouses, administrative buildings, processing centres, irrigation systems, and access roads to support commercial farming operations. This project aligns with the Federal Government’s food security and economic diversification agenda under Pre
sident Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope programme. Strategic investments in agricultural infrastructure aim to create jobs, empower women and youths, attract private investment, and accelerate Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.
He commended the immediate past Executive Secretary of NALDA, Mr. Paul Ikonne, whose administration conceived and delivered the market. Adebayo also praised Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe for supporting agricultural development initiatives and creating an enabling environment for NALDA programmes to thrive. He appealed to the state government to provide additional land to enable the authority to scale up its interventions and accommodate more beneficiaries.
The NALDA boss acknowledged the contributions of community leaders, farmers, development partners, and other stakeholders to the successful completion of the vegetable market project. He urged beneficiaries and stakeholders to take ownership of the facility, protect it, and utilize it effectively for the benefit of present and future ge
nerations.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration, the immediate past Executive Secretary of NALDA, Paul Ikonne, said the market would help farmers sell their produce directly to consumers and reduce exploitation by middlemen. Many farmers have access to farmland but lack organized markets through which they can sell their produce directly to buyers. By connecting buyers directly with farmers, the project aims to ensure better returns for farmers and fair prices for consumers. The market is implemented in partnership with the state government, facilitating easier management and maintenance.