President Bola Tinubu on Saturday, launched the Yobe State Agricultural Empowerment Programme in Damaturu, the state capital.
This initiative is part of a broader national strategy to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural sector, ensuring food security and stimulating economic growth across the country.
The programme includes the provision of agricultural machinery and implements to support and modernize farming practices.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, President Tinubu emphasized the critical role of agriculture in national development and security.
He highlighted that food is fundamental to the stability of any society, stating, “Food is the heart of security in every society. It is the foundation upon which we build our health, our well-being, and our economic stability.”
The President stressed that the government’s grand goals at both state and national levels could not be achieved without supporting and empowering farmers.
President Tinubu noted that the initiative aims not only to boost agricultural output but also to engage more Nigerians in the nation’s economic activities.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernizing the agricultural sector, including the livestock industry.
The recently approved Ministry of Livestock Development aims to enhance livestock production and transform the sector’s narrative and destiny.
Addressing the need to adopt modern farming techniques, President Tinubu remarked, “Each of us in this gathering must come to terms with the fact that the era of relying on rain-fed agriculture is gone. These machines are here to ease our practice of irrigation farming.”
He also announced that Yobe State’s request for additional resources to support its agricultural ambitions had been approved.
This includes the provision of mini-rigs for tube wells, solar water pumps, agro-chemicals, power tillers, more fertilizers, and other farm implements to complement the state’s irrigation scheme.
The President assured the audience that the government is taking significant measures to address security challenges, making farmlands safe and accessible across every state in the federation.
Following the launch, Vice President Shettima visited the Emir of Damaturu, Alhaji Shehu Hashim II Ibn Umar Al-Amin El-Kanemi, to convey President Tinubu’s high regard for Yobe State and its people.
The Vice President praised Governor Mai Mala Buni’s achievements in agricultural investments and highlighted the potential for agricultural mechanization in the state.
In response, the Emir of Damaturu expressed gratitude for President Tinubu’s support and appreciated the administration’s efforts towards national progress.
Governor Buni also reaffirmed Yobe State’s support for the Tinubu administration, acknowledging the challenges faced by the state, particularly in the agricultural sector.
He stated, “In spite of all the challenges, agriculture remains the major preoccupation of our people. With the improvement in security across the state, farmlands are now accessible in almost all the local government areas.”
The governor mentioned several initiatives to revitalize agriculture, including an Agricultural Summit, the formation of a Steering Committee on the Revitalization of Agriculture, and partnerships with organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
He also highlighted the establishment of Livestock Development Centres to address farmer-herdsmen clashes and boost meat and dairy production. Additionally, the revival of the 2000-hectare Lava Irrigation Scheme and the creation of four sesame seed processing factories across the state were noted as significant achievements.
The launch of the agricultural empowerment programme saw the distribution of numerous items, including 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 ploughs, 5,349 small ruminants (goats), 1,349 hand-push planters, 889 hand-push plough machines, 590 hand-push tiller machines, 4,202 solar-powered irrigation water pumps, improved assorted seeds, and 72,000 bags of fertilizer.
Governor Buni concluded, “This State Visit is no doubt a significant milestone as we launch the agricultural empowerment programme,” underscoring the importance of the initiative in boosting the state’s agricultural productivity and overall economic development.
