The North East Development Commission (NEDC), in collaboration with the Lobito Group for Asiwaju Farmers, has distributed 256 farm implements and inputs across the three senatorial zones of Bauchi State.
Mr. Sulaiman Aliyu, representing the NEDC, spoke at the distribution ceremony held on Saturday in Bauchi. He emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agricultural policies, aiming to boost agricultural production in the state.
“The distribution of these implements and machines through the Lobito Group will significantly enhance agricultural productivity in Bauchi,” Aliyu stated. He highlighted that the initiative is designed to improve food security and foster wealth creation among farmers.
The distributed tools include tractors, rice millers, multi-purpose threshers, hammer mills, power tillers, and de-stoners. Other items are walking tractors, rotary tiller ridgers, iron bull tractors, iron disc ploughs, and high-pressure water pumps.
Alhaji Usman Yau-Darazo, the State Coordinator, explained that the partnership between the NEDC and the Lobito Group aims to empower hardworking farmers across Bauchi. “The distribution spans all 20 local government areas, with 10 beneficiaries from each,” he said.
Yau-Darazo emphasized the commitment to decentralized agricultural support, fostering independence among local cooperatives. “This initiative ensures that every farmer can maximize productivity and efficiency on their farms,” he added.
He encouraged farmers to utilize the tools effectively to boost productivity and enhance their income. “These tools will help increase the average yield of crop production in the state,” Yau-Darazo noted.
A beneficiary, Malam Musa Birshi, expressed gratitude for the machines, stating that they would reduce the drudgery associated with harvesting and processing farm produce. “These machines will significantly reduce our stress and production costs. Initially, we used hands to thresh, leading to a lot of wastage, but these machines will save a lot of it,” Birshi remarked.
The initiative marks a significant step towards supporting Bauchi’s farmers, enhancing their productivity, and contributing to the overall agricultural development of the state.
