Tinubu flags off N14 billion in agricultural inputs, machinery to boost employment, food security in Yobe
Tada Juthan, Damaturu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has flagged off the distribution of N14 billion in agricultural inputs and other machinery to boost employment and food security in Yobe State.
Tinubu, represented by his vice, Senator Kashim Shettima, on a one-day official visit yesterday (Saturday), in Damaturu, said that the state’s agricultural empowerment programme will make investments in the livestock and agricultural sectors more attractive.
The VP, therefore, called on the state government and development partners to increase their investments in commercial farming that could further create more jobs for the unemployed youth and women.
Besides, Shettima noted that the Muhammadu Buhari International Cargo Airport in Damaturu will harness the rich agricultural resources, including gum Arabic, sesame seeds, and livestock, for exports to earn foreign exchange.
He noted that the distributed farm inputs and other machinery will complement the Federal Government’s irrigation schemes in the Kumadugu/Yobe River Basin and the Nguru wetlands.
While briefing the VP on the distributed farm inputs, Governor Mai Mala Buni disclosed that the 71,835 units of farm inputs and machinery were procured for N14 billion.
According to him, the agricultural empowerment inputs comprise tractors, ploughs, planters, threshers, tillers, harvesters, and planters.
Other distributed farm inputs included solar-powered water pumps, cultivators, rakes, cartons of pesticides, and insecticides.
He said that each of the 178 wards will get no less than 30 units of the distributed farm inputs and other machinery to boost employment and food security.
The governor noted that the Damaturu International Cargo Airport would be used to transport livestock, meat, dairy products, gum Arabic, sesame seeds, cowpeas, and groundnuts within and outside the country.
He said the government has instituted some measures to check the abuse and sale of farm inputs and machinery by the beneficiaries, sabotaging the intended agricultural revolution in the state.
“The government would deal ruthlessly with any official, individual, or group who tested our will in this regard,” he warned.
Buni, therefore, directed security agencies to arrest and impound tractors and other machines crossing the border lines of the state.
