From Sani Gazas Chinade, Damaturu
President Ahmed Bola Tinubu launched multi-billion Naira Agricultural empowerment for farmers in Yobe State selected across 178 electoral wards in the state at large with the improvement of security across the state.
The project was fully funded by the Yobe State government to boost agricultural activities and improve Food production in the state.
The President who was represented by Vice-President, Senator Kashim Shettima pointed out that agriculture is a fundamental priority that they should pursue with vigour across all the tiers of government.
“I am delighted and honoured to join Yobeans on the objective of food security, and their no way we can achieve our goals and objectives whether at the state or national level until we support and empower our farmers, and we must ensure that they have the modern tools, resources and knowledge to optimize their production capacity respectively,” he added.
In his speech host Governor, Mai Mala Bunu said that 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 in the state as arranged, he said.
According to him, the efforts we believe will augment large-scale agro-value chain development in the State”.
“Mr.President sir, your esteemed presence at this occasion today gives our people a sense of belonging as being celebrated with resounding cheers by the mammoth crowd since your arrival, to the state capital Damaturu.
“Therefore, wish to reassure you that the good people of Yobe state would continue to support your administration as you strive to improve the economy, security, and other developmental challenges facing the nation at large,” he remarked.
The Governor revealed that “Yobe State as you know is one of the states grossly devastated by protracted security challenge.
The inaccessibility to farmlands due to security threats 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 at large”.
“Despite all the challenges, agriculture remains the major preoccupation of Yobeans.”
Therefore, has made agriculture the key sector for the post-insurgency economic recovery program.
The Yobe state government has adopted these strategies to revitalize the sector, Convening of Agricultural Summit to chart a new course for productivity improvement.
The Yobe state government has constituted a Steering Committee on Revitalization of Agriculture, and developing a State Sector Strategic Plan in conjunction with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Developed agricultural policy documents to achieve food security and contribute to National economic diversification.
The document has been validated in collaboration with the EU-Yobe Public Finance Management (PFM) Project, in conjunction with DAI international.”
He added, “The Yobe State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government has established Livestock Development Centers (LDCs) to curb farmers/ herdsmen clashes, commercial pasture production, and increase in meat and dairy production.
“The state is currently reviving the 2000 hectares Lava Irrigation Scheme in the Bursari Local Government Area to cultivate wheat, rice, and vegetables in the next dry season irrigation program.
As a leading state with the largest production of high-quality Sesame seeds, we have established four Sesame seed processing factories in Damaturu, Nguru, Machina, and Potiskum.”
