Bauchi govt signs agreement for supply, distribution of 500 tractors to farmers
In an effort to reduce unemployment, rural-urban drift and diversify the economy through boosting agriculture, the Bauchi state government has signed an agreement for the supply of 500 units of tractors for distribution to farmers through public-private-partnership.
While signing the agreement, Friday, Governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar said the epoch-making event for the supply of the 500 tractors was meant to equip agriculture and widen the opportunities for employment of youth in Bauchi state.
A statement signed by press secretary to the governor, Malam Abubakar Al-Sadique, says the tractors are to be distributed to registered farmers and farmers’ cooperatives on loan to be repaid over a period of three years.
The statement further explained that the agreement with Hakar Engineering Limited, tagged “subsidized agricultural tractorisation ownership programme,” involves the supply of five hundred, 75 horse power tractors, fully equipped with plough, ridges, harrow and trailers to be sold to farmers.
The governor said the supply of the tractors was the first time Bauchi state government is making such massive efforts to promote agricultural mechanization, in line with the APC manifesto and the campaign promises they made.
The governor observed that Nigeria, especially its northern part, must make concerted efforts to engage its unemployed youth through agriculture, noting that his administration has embarked on the mechanization of the sector to attract other people to the sector.
“This administration pilots the transformation of agriculture from subsistence level that 80% of our farmers are known for decades to real business that will create thousands of jobs and boost our economy,” Governor Mohammed Abubakar said.
“That Nigeria is projected to be the third most populous country in the world by the year 2050 is a reason for us to pause and think. The north is also projected to have most of the nation’s population and there are no jobs to engage that population influx. We must therefore take full advantage of the comparative advantage our conducive environment offers for the cultivation of most crops in commercial quantity,” the governor said.
Managing director and chief executive officer of Hakar Engineering Ltd, Engineer Shuaibu Abdullahi said the tractorisation exercise will further equip rural farmers and boost agriculture.
While assuring of quick delivery of the tractors, the contractor noted that the administration of Governor Mohammed Abubakar will be leaving a lasting legacy for the next generations.
