Jutha Gupah, Damaturu
September 8, 2022.
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe state; has launched the animal traction agricultural (ATRAG) scheme to boost farmers’ productivity and livelihoods.
No less than 356 vulnerable farmers were targeted for the ATRAG scheme in 178 wards across the state.
Distributing the 534 bulls and ploughs, yesterday (Thursday), in Dikumari community of Damaturu Council, Buni; disclosed: “A pair of working bulls and a plough be given to two farmers each under the ATRAG livelihood support programme.”
He said that the State government would continue to consolidate on the various agricultural and livestock policies to boost livelihoods and food security.
Continued; “We’re providing 356 farmers with pairs of healthy bulls and ploughs to two beneficiaries each from the 178 wards in the state.”
According to him, the animal traction scheme targeted the vulnerable poor, orphans, widows and people with disabilities to sustain their means of livelihoods.
He attributed Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, including floods to farmers’ low productivity and food insecurity in the last decade.
Besides, he added that alternative measures be developed to improve on the irrigations scheme, instead of depending on rain fed agricultural activities.
He noted that the Kumadugu/Yobe River Basin and the Nguru wetlands, are yet to be harnessed to boost farmers’ productivity and incomes.
Buni also pledged to support farmers with various agricultural inputs to improve their livelihoods with food security.
“We’ll continue to partner with international donors and other support groups to empower farmers boost their productivity and food security,” he said.
He, therefore, warned the farmers against selling the distributed 534 bulls and ploughs for profits.
He said that government would not tolerate any act of diversion or sale of the empowerment materials.
While thanking Buni, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Mairo Amshi, said: “The engagement of our vulnerable farmers could sustain the development of agricultural and livestock sectors of the economy.”
