By Inusa Ndahi, Damaturu
PRESIDENT Kashim Shettima on Saturday flagged off the distribution multi billion naira agricultural empowerment inputs procured by the state government under the leadership of Governor Mai Mala Buni.
Senator Shettima who represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is out of the country for official engagement said this initiative will boost food security, creating jobs, and diversifying Nigeria’s economy, adding that the federal government will key into the programme inline with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Shettima said, the present administration is determined to improve food production and create meaningful jobs in the country, hence the establishment of the new ministry of livestock.
“Food is a heart of security in every society, it is the foundation upon which we build our health and well being of our economic stability. I am glad to be part of this epoch making event, as Yobe State Agricultural Empowerment Programme couldn’t have come at a better time than now, there is no time we achieve our set goals, until we empower our farmers. We must ensure that they have the tools, resources and knowledge to optimize their production capacity. By doing so, we are not only enhancing our Agricultural output, but also contributed to our collective quest to ensure that every Nigerian is well fed and fully engaged in the economic live of our nation.
“This support by the Yobe State Government under Governor Mai Mala Buni to our resilient people who have suffered over decade of insurgency is a welcome development, and I assured you that the with procurement of these massive Agricultural inputs and machines, the federal government will continue to give Yobe people and it’s government the required collaboration and support to achieve the desired Agricultural diversification”. Shettima stated.
In his welcome address, Governor Buni expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his Vice, Senator Shettima for giving the desired support and cooperation to his government.
He noted that, Yobe state would continue to support the federal government as it strive to improve the economy, security and other developmental challenges facing the nation.
Continuing he said: “Yobe State as you know is one of the states grossly devastated by protracted security challenge. The inaccessibility to farmlands due to security threat and other natural factors such as erosion, desert encroachment, low rainfall etc have massively affected agricultural productivity with monumental consequences on the lives of our predominantly agricultural population, and the economy of the state.
“In spite of all the challenges, agriculture remains the major preoccupation of our people. With the improvement in security across the state, farmlands are now accessible in almost all the local government areas. This, therefore, has made agriculture the key sector for the post-insurgency economic recovery programme.
“This State Visit is no doubt a significant milestone as we launch the agricultural empowerment programme with a distribution of 100 Zoom Lion Tractors, 10 IMC Double Cabin 4 wheel drive vehicles for supervision of the extension service workers, 200 motor cycles to extension service workers to boost agricultural extension services and 300 sets of Ox-drawn ploughs.
“Others include 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 fertilizer, among others.
“The distribution arrangement is made up of 30 farmers in each of the 178 electoral wards of the State making a total of 5,340 farmers to benefit from the scheme. Except for the tractors and fertilizer, all the other agricultural equipment and inputs are to be given out free to our large scale, medium and subsistence farmers. These efforts we believe will augment large scale agro-value chain development in the State.
“Government has instituted some measures to check abuse and sale of the machines by the beneficiaries to avoid sabotaging the lofty goals of the intended agricultural revolution in the state.
“The tractors are to be in custody of the State Agricultural Development Programme at the Headquarters in Damaturu and the zonal offices in Buni Yadi, Geidam, Gashua, Nguru and Potiskum, to be hired out to individuals and group farmers. The Agricultural Development Programme would be carefully monitored to ensure efficiency in service, effective maintenance and accountability in proceeds accruing from the hire of the tractors.
“Let me warn in strong terms that government would not tolerate any act of sabotage to frustrate our commitments to make agriculture attractive, profitable, sustainable and economically viable and, to guarantee food sufficiency and food security in the state.
“Therefore, government would deal ruthlessly with any official, individual or group who test our will in this regard. I hereby direct the security agencies to arrest and impound tractors and other machines crossing the border lines of the state, while such saboteurs are made to face the full wrath of the law.” Bundi stressed.
The occasion had in attendance Chairman of the All Progressives Congress Governors Forum, who is also the Governor of Imo state, Hope Uzodima, Borno state governor and Chairman North East Governors Forum, Professor Babagana Zulum, Deputy National Chairman of the APC North, Hon. Ali Dalori, Speakers of Borno and Yobe state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulkarim Lawan and Chiroma Mashio, traditional rulers among other stakeholders. End
