Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has launched the second phase of agricultural input distribution, urging farmers to remain resilient and committed to enhancing food production.
The initiative, aimed at boosting food security and economic prosperity, was flagged off on Tuesday at the August 27 Stadium in Damaturu, the state capital.
Buni stated that the intervention is designed to mitigate the effects of past insecurity, improve agricultural productivity, ensure food sufficiency, and stimulate economic growth.
He noted that agriculture remains the mainstay of the state’s economy, with about 90% of the population engaged in farming and livestock rearing.
“This support aims to cushion the effects of the insecurity the state suffered in the past. It is our intention to improve agricultural production, increase food sufficiency, and strengthen the economy”, the governor said.
He recalled that the state government had launched a similar agricultural input distribution last year, led by President Bola Tinubu. He expressed appreciation to Tinubu for his commitment to national security, which has enabled farmers to safely return to their farmlands.
PUNCH Online reports that last year, the state government procured and distributed various agricultural equipment, including 100 tractors, 889 hand-push planters, 4,202 solar-powered irrigation pumps, over 2,000 harvesters, and 72,000 bags of assorted fertilisers. This year, additional machines and inputs have been procured, such as 40 Forgeson tractors, 1,961 power trailers, 1,250 hand-push planters, and 4,500 tonnes of NPK fertilisers.
Therefore, Buni directed that the machines and inputs be distributed free of charge to deserving farmers, while fertilisers would be subsidised at 50%. He also instructed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone caught selling or diverting the items.
The Special Adviser on Agriculture, Ibrahim Kabir Masari, commended Buni for his unwavering commitment to supporting farmers.
“I commend Governor Buni for this giant stride and urge the benefiting communities to use the implements and inputs for their intended purposes,” Masari said.
Representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture also hailed the initiative, encouraging beneficiaries to make the most of the opportunity.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Ali Goniri, expressed gratitude for the governor’s dedication to agricultural development.
“As an agronomist, I am proud to serve as Commissioner under this administration. We are committed to distributing all items effectively across the 178 wards and ensuring full accountability”, Goniri stated.