FG commissions tractors, harvesters to boost food production

The Federal Government has taken a decisive step toward enhancing food production and agricultural transformation in Nigeria by commissioning a fleet of tractors and harvesters in Kano.

In a statement by Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan, Director of Information and Public Relations on Friday, the government highlighted its unwavering commitment to advancing the agricultural sector as a cornerstone of national development.

The commissioning ceremony, held, at the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority in Kano, was led by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev.

He was joined by the Chairman of the House Committee on Water Resources, Honourable Sada Soli; the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah; Directors of the Ministry; and other water and agricultural experts.

Prof. Utsev praised the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority for its proactive approach to procuring these essential farming tools.

He emphasized that the deployment of tractors and harvesters would significantly boost farming productivity and contribute to Nigeria’s goal of achieving food sufficiency.

The Minister also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his steadfast support of the Ministry through the approval and funding of transformative projects.

He called on stakeholders to enhance collaboration and leverage modern technology to drive economic growth in the agricultural and water sectors.

Urging proper maintenance and judicious use of the equipment, Prof. Utsev stressed the importance of ensuring the durability of the tools to maximize their benefits for farmers and the agricultural community.

He reiterated that the initiative underscores the Federal Government’s dedication to empowering farmers and fostering sustainable agricultural development.

The Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority, Ma’amun Da’u Aliyu, also spoke at the event, identifying the lack of mechanization as a longstanding challenge for farmers.

He described the commissioning of the tractors and harvesters as a transformative step toward addressing this issue, aligning with President Tinubu’s national development agenda.

Aliyu expressed gratitude to the Federal Government and the National Assembly for their support in actualizing the project.

He assured farmers that similar initiatives would continue to be prioritized to ease the challenges of food production and advance agricultural progress nationwide.