From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
Yobe state government has commenced free distribution of the multi-billion Naira agricultural empowerment equipment and implements recently launched in Damaturu to beneficiaries in Zone A senatorial district.
In a press release signed by Mamman Muhammad, the DG press and media Affairs to Governor Buni said the distribution of the equipment is scheduled to be carried out in three phases for the three Senatorial zones of the state.
The beneficiaries were drawn from each political ward of every local government to provide equal opportunities to all.
A thorough profiling was conducted to ensure that only genuine farmers who are actively engaged in agriculture benefit from the exercise to improve agricultural production for food sufficiency and security.
It could be recalled that Vice President Kashim Shettima GCON, represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR at the launch of the programme in Damaturu recently.
The empowerment programme, which was initiated and the equipment procured by the Yobe state government, is aimed at making agriculture attractive, profitable, and economically viable to farmers in the state.
The state government procured 100 tractors, 300 sets of ox-drawn ploughs, 1,349 hand push planters, 889 hand push plough machines, 4,202 solar-powered irrigation water pumps, 5,349 goats, 590 hand push tillers, 72,000 bags of fertilizer, and assorted seeds among others.
Governor Buni has warned against selling the implements, directing security operatives to arrest anyone crossing the borders with the equipment.
“We must have value for our money; the equipment must be used here to guarantee food sufficiency and food security and promote economic prosperity through agriculture”, he said.