Yobe distributes N14b free agric inputs to 1,590 farmers

Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has distributed N14b agricultural inputs to farmers to boost employment and food security in the state. The procured 71, 835 units of farm inputs, including 100 tractors, comprise agricultural equipment, assorted seeds and pesticides and protecting the crops.

The Director General, Press and Media Affairs to the governor, Mamman Mohammed, in a statement, in Damaturu disclosed: “The distribution of agricultural inputs to 1, 590 farmers in East Senatorial District of the state is free under the State’s Agricultural Empowerment Programme (YAEP).”

He added that the farmers are drawn from 53 political wards in Geidam, Gujba, Tarmuwa, Gulani and Bursari Local Councils.

Besides the distribution in the district, the DG, in the statement said: “ Our farmers in the North and South Senatorial Districts, comprising a dozen local councils are included in the free distribution of agricultural implements with improved seeds to boost employment.”

In a breakdown of the distributed farm inputs, the Spokesman said over 1, 060 male farmers are provided with free 159 hand ploughs and 159 motorised hand tillers, 212 multi-purpose threshers and 530 solar-powered water pumps.

Other distributed agricultural implements included 3,180 bags of fertilisers, 530 hand-held planters, 1,060 Knapsack sprayers, 10,600kg of assorted seeds and 10,600 litres of pesticides and herbicides.

Besides the male farmers, he added that 530 of women each, received two female and male goats to breed about 3, 180 goats in a year.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima performed the ceremonial launch of the procured equipment and machinery to boost economic development and growth.

The governor, however, warned the farmers against abuse of the distributed tractors, utility vehicles and motorcycles for the agricultural extension workers and selling them. Buni, therefore, directed security agencies to impound and arrest persons moving the distributed farm inputs outside the state.