Tinubu flags off Yobe agric scheme, lauds Gov. Buni’s vision for food security (Pictures)
Story from Sa’adatu MAINA, Damaturu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has on Saturday, inaugurated the multi-billion naira agricultural empowerment scheme initiatied by the Governor Mai Mala Buni-led administration in Yobe State.
The items commissioned for the agricultural empowerment scheme include the distribution of 100 Zoom Lion Tractors, 10 IMC Double Cabin 4 wheel drive vehicles for supervision of the extension service workers and 200 motor cycles to extension service workers to boost agricultural extension services.
READ ALSO: Commissioner calls for rousing welcome as Tinubu launches agric empowerment scheme in Yobe
Others are 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, among others.
The inauguration of the agricultural inputs was done at the August 27th stadium Damaturu.
President Tinubu commended Yobe State Governor Buni for the initiative, adding that the scheme would boost food security for the state and the entire North-East region.
Represented by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, Tinubu stated that, recently they have approved the creation of ministry of livestock production which intended to improve livestock production in the country.
“We also took proper measures to address agricultural challenges in order to make farm lands safe and accessible in every state of the federation,” said the president.
Earlier speaking, Yobe State Governor Mai Mala Buni said the distribution arrangement of the agricultural inputs will include 30 farmers in each of the 178 electoral wards of the state, making a total of 5,340 farmers to benefit from the scheme.
He said except for the tractors and fertiliser, all other agricultural equipment and inputs are to be given out free to large scale, medium and subsistence farmers.
Buni revealed that the empowerment scheme is part of his administration’s effort towards empowering farmers across the state with a view to enhance food security.
He reassured President Tinubu that the good people of Yobe State would continue to support his administration as he strive to improve the economy, security and other developmental challenges facing the nation.
Governor Buni noted that Yobe State is one of the states grossly devastated by protracted activities of insurgents, therefore the inaccessibility to farmlands due to security threat and other natural factors such as erosion, desert encroachment, low rainfall have massively affected agricultural productivity with monumental consequences on the lives of the predominantly agricultural population, and the economy of the state.
The Governor warned in strong term that government would not tolerate any act of sabotage to frustrate their commitment to make agriculture attractive, profitable, sustainable and ecomically viable and to guarantee food sufficiency and food security in the state.
