New Nigerian Newspapers Online Edition

AGRICULTURAL farming has a boost in Bauchi State with the purchase of 1,200 power Tiller Tractors at the cost of 469.9 million Naira to complement farmers efforts in the production of crops.
According to the state governor, Malam Isa Yuguda, the tractors purchased from Steyr Nigeria company in Bauchi would readily be made available to farmers at the subsidised rate of 360,000 Naira per tractor through the local government system.
Launching the power tractors in Bauchi at the weekend, Yuguda said each of the 20 local governments in the state would receive 50 tractors, while more would be purchased next year as part of the efforts to ensure food security for the state and the nation.
He explained that the provision of tractors would enable the farmers improve output through the application of modern techniques, hence the need to provide them with all necessary inputs.
“Government believes that food security is the basic necessity of a nation, and the progress of countries are measured on their ability to feed their own citizens,” he added.
Malam Yuguda observed that no nation in the world that has developed within getting its own agricultural sector right, and explained that economic development progresses from agrarian to industrial targets, while agriculture when properly nurtured and properly put in place would substantially contribute to Gross Domestic Products (GDP).
“As we improve agricultural sector, more small and medium industries will spring up which would serve as the basis for launching us into an industrialised country and subsequently into an industrialised economy,” he said.
He observed that no country in the world has an agricultural advantage like Nigeria as, according to him, there is no part of the country that does not enjoy three months of rainfall which is sufficient for most of the crops grown.
The governor regretted that this enviable position of Nigeria with fertile land suitable for agricultural activities is allowed to fritter away due to neglect of the sector by past successive administrations.
Yuguda said Bauchi State Government is determined to restore the lost glory in the agricultural sector based on policies and programmes tailored to reverse the negative trend.
To this end, he said, the state government has made available to farmers all necessary improved and high quality inputs required for increased agricultural production.
He further explained that government in collaboration with the Sassakawa global 2000 has strengthened the training of over 5,000 farmers on improved production technologies using the Sassakawa management training club.
The governor further revealed that 1,000 youths were trained as contract sprayers who would be given sufficient seeds, fertiliser and agro-chemicals on loan basis, while area spray is being carried out to control the outbreak of grasshoppers.