President Bola Tinubu has commended Yobe State government for massively investing in agriculture to guarantee food sufficiency and security in the state while launching the state’s Agricultural Empowerment Programme in Damaturu.
Tinubu, represented by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Political and Other Matters, Alhaji Ibrahim Kabiru Masari, described the Yobe State Agricultural Empowerment Programme was in tune with the renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal government.
He promised the support of the Federal Government’s to improve agricultural productivity in the state.
Yobe Governor, Mai Mala Buni disclosed that the state government procured 40 Massey Ferguson tractors, 1,961 Power Tillers, 1,250 Hand Push Planters, 553 Multi-Purpose Threshers, 3,410 Solar water pumps, 830 Fertilizer Applicator, 4,500 bags of NPK 20:10:10 Fertilizer and 195 Crop Residue crushers.
Similarly, 495 Crop Residue choppers, 20,000 Assorted improved seeds, Assorted Agro Chemicals, 4,000 Bunch of Cassava Stems, Assorted Certified Seeds, 50 Tricycles and 30 Motorcycles were procured for the programme.
“In line with our policy to promote agricultural development in the state, I hereby direct that, the machines, equipment and other farm implements should be distributed free to deserving farmers. Additionally, I hereby direct a 50% subsidy on the sale of fertilizer to farmers” Gov. Buni announced.
Credible News recalls that exactly a year ago, President Tinubu, represented by the Vice President Kashim Shettima, was in Yobe State where he reiterated the current administration’s commitment to modernising the agricultural sector, including the livestock industry.
The president, at the occasion, approved additional resources to support Yobe’s agricultural ambitions promising mini-rigs for tube wells, solar water pumps, agro-chemicals, power tillers, fertilisers, and irrigation farming implements.
Governor Buni listed several government initiatives to revitalise agriculture, including an Agricultural Summit, the constitution of a Steering Committee on Revitalization of Agriculture, and partnerships with organisations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Buni also noted the revival of the 2000-hectare Lava Irrigation Scheme and the establishment of four sesame seed processing factories across the state.
The items distributed at the launch of the agricultural empowerment programme include 100 Zoom Lion Tractors, 10 IMC Double Cabin 4-wheel drive vehicles for extension service supervision, 200 motorcycles for extension workers, 300 sets of ox-drawn ploughs, 5,349 small ruminants (goats), 1,349 hand-push planters, 889 hand-push plough machines, 590 hand-push tiller machines, 4,202 solar-powered irrigation water pumps, improved assorted seeds, and 72,000 bags of fertiliser.
Crediblenewsng.com
