By Isa Muhammad Mukhtar
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched a landmark Agricultural Empowerment Program in,Yobe State, aimed at addressing food security and promoting sustainable agricultural practices across Nigeria. The program which is the administration’s strategy to ensure food sufficiency was inaugurated at a ceremony in Damaturu the state capital.
President Tinubu was represented by the Vice president His excellency, Sen. Kashim Shettima at the event with key stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural and economic sectors, in attendance, including representatives from the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), who played a vital role in the planning and execution of the initiative.
In his speech, President, Tinubu emphasized the importance of food security as a cornerstone of national stability and economic growth. He noted that the empowerment program would provide farmers with the necessary tools, training, and resources to boost agricultural productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and enhance the food distribution network across the country. He said if fully achieved, jobs would be created and diversify Nigeria’s economy through agriculture.
“This program is designed to empower farmers, improve livelihoods, and ensure that every Nigerian has access to nutritious food, we are committed to supporting the agricultural sector as a key driver of our economy”, He said.
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The President also approved Yobe State’s request for additional resources to support its agricultural ambitions and further said Nigerians must come to terms with the fact that the era of relying on rain-fed agriculture is gone and the machinery (mini-rigs for tube wells, solar water pumps, agro-chemicals, power tillers, more fertilizers, and other farm implements) are to ease the practice of irrigation farming.
Inspecting the newly purchased agricultural equipment, the VP praised Governor Mai Mala Buni for his achievements, particularly in agricultural investments, emphasizing the potential for agricultural mechanisation in the state. While addressing security challenges, the President gave his assurances that the government is taking drastic measures to address the issue by making farmlands safe and accessible in every state of the federation.
Earlier, Yobe State Governor reaffirmed the state’s support for the federal government administration, acknowledging the challenges faced by Yobe, particularly in the agricultural sector. He said, that despite all the challenges, agriculture remains the major preoccupation of the people in the state. With the improvement in security architecture across the state, farmlands are now accessible in almost all the local government areas.
The Governor mentioned several government initiatives to revitalize agriculture, including an Agricultural Summit, the constitution of a Steering Committee on Revitalization of Agriculture, partnerships with organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, collaboration with the federal government which has established Livestock Development Centers to address farmer-herdsmen clashes and boost meat and dairy productions, the revival of the 2000-hectare Lava Irrigation Scheme and the establishment of four Sesame Seeds processing factories across the state respectively.
The RMRDC was lauded for its contribution in the area of research and development and also in the boosting of agriculture in the state.
The program included the distribution 100 Zoom Lion Tractors, 10 IMC Double Cabin 4-wheel drive vehicles for extension service supervision, 200 motorcycles for extension workers, 300 sets of ox-drawn plows, 5,349 small ruminants (goats), 1,349 hand-push planters, 889 hand-push plow machines, 590 hand-push tiller machines, 4,202 solar-powered irrigation water pumps, improved assorted seeds, and 72,000 bags of fertilizer.
Gov Bunii while thanking the President said the launch of the program marks a significant step in President Tinubu’s agenda of a renewed hope, revitalizing Nigeria’s agricultural sector, and strengthening the nation’s food security network. He therefore urged the beneficiaries to take advantage of the machines provided to them to create jobs and wealth.
The local farmers in Yobe State welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism that the support provided through the program would significantly improve their farming practices and yield.
