In bid to boost massive food production and end the challenges of low agricultural production in the State, Kogi State Government, through the ACReSAL Project has donated hand-held tractors to farming communities across the three Senatorial Districts in the State, where Gully intervention works are currently ongoing.
The move is aimed at empowering members of the benefitting communities, to ensure sustainability upon completion of the ongoing Projects, and promote agroforestry.
The hand-held tractors were distributed to 10 CIGs per Senatorial District; while 10 Farmers were pegged to a Tractor; bringing the total number of benefitting Farmers to 300 from the 3 Senatorial Districts.
Speaking at the flag-off of the distribution, the Project Coordinator, Kogi ACReSAL, Chief (Barr.) Ladi Ahmed Jatto -OON, who was represented by the Desk Officer, Social Livelihood, Mahmud Suleiman Obansa, said the distribution of the Hand-held tractors aims to support farmers in their agroforestry ventures, since its major advantage over the standard tractor is the ability to maneuver between trees to cultivate, thereby leading to more bumper harvest, as more land area would be covered.
She also urged the farmers to maintain the delicate equipment properly, as the Project envisages a scenario where other communities will also benefit in the future.
Speaking on behalf of Beneficiaries in Kogi East, Peter Ojonugua, was full of praise for the State Government, for the initiative; promising that they would imbibe a maintenance culture to protect the machines.
The reaction was the same in Kogi Central and Kogi West Senatorial Districts, where jubilant farmers were full of praise for His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, for bringing smiles to their faces through the Kogi State ACReSAL project. They promised to ensure that the Hand-held Tractors are properly taken care of to ensure longevity.
Highlights of the exercise were the training of farmers in the use and maintenance of the tractors and accessories, as well as the official handing over of the tractors to the beneficiaries.
