By Joy Yesufu
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has flagged off the distribution of N14 billion agricultural inputs and other machinery to boost employment and food security in Yobe.
Tinubu, represented by his Vice, Senator Kashim Shettima on a one-day working visit, over the weekend in Damaturu said the State’s agricultural empowerment programme will make investments more attractive in the livestock and agricultural sectors.
Mr President 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.
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 at N14 billion.
He said 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.
Buni 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 cargo airport would be used to transport livestock, meat, dairy products, Gum Arabic, Sesame seeds, cowpea and groundnuts within and outside the country.
He said government has instituted some measures to check abuse and sale of the farm inputs and machinery by the beneficiaries sabotaging the intended agricultural revolution in the state.
“Government would deal ruthlessly with any official, individual or group who test 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.
