The Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasir Idris, confirmed the procurement of 6,000 solar pumps and power tillers, reinforcing the state’s focus on empowering farmers during the special dry season.
The governor made the announcement while extending a courtesy visit to the office of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, in Abuja.
He said, ‘Kebbi State is ready to complement the Federal Government’s Special Dry Season Programme under the Ministry of Agriculture by providing solar-powered boreholes and power tillers to the participating farmers across the state.’
‘The state has so far procured 6,000 of such.’
In a statement released on Saturday by the governor’s media aide, Ahmed Idris, it was disclosed that the governor used the occasion to extend an invitation to the minister as the Special Guest for the unveiling of the Kaura Agricultural Development and Growth Agenda. Additionally, the distribution of solar pumps and power tillers to farmers in Kebbi State will be part of the event.
Congratulating the minister on steering the ministry in line with the president’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” the governor declared the state’s commitment to collaborate with the ministry in the pursuit of national food security.
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Responding, the minister, Senator Abubakar Kyari, recalled that within the past week, he had been privileged to host executives from four states.
He said, ‘There is no doubt that the collective steps we are taking to boost food production, reduce food inflation, and more assuredly guarantee our national food security are matters of urgent engagement that require increased inter-governmental interactions.’
‘In November 2023, we have flagged off the Wheat Dry Season Farming across 15 states that are in the wheat-producing belt of the country.’
In outlining the purpose, the minister pointed out that the flag-off served the vital role of decreasing Nigeria’s reliance on rain-fed agriculture during the wet season, promoting a sustainable, year-round farming approach.
Kyari pointed out that harnessing both dry and wet season farming not only amplifies crop production but also creates employment, mitigates poverty, alleviates food inflation, and fosters inclusivity.
‘These are goals highlighted in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. Kebbi is one of the states chosen for dry-season farming across irrigable farmlands.’
‘Despite some of the initial glitches, it is reassuring that your government took necessary critical steps, such as land preparation and facilitation of tubular irrigation, to enable the cultivation of wheat under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) Project.’
‘We are also aware that your government has supported farmers with additional fertilisers and other inputs and provided funds for commodity associations towards boosting agricultural productivity in the state,’ he noted.
The Secretary to the Kebbi State Government, Yakubu Bala-Tafida, and the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Shehu Muazu, were part of the Governor’s delegation during this event.