Bayelsa, Plateau get tractors, funds, others to boost crop production

From  Bassey Willie, Yenagoa & Dickson S. Adama, Jos   Bayelsa and Plateau states have received various agricultural machines to boost mechanisation and funds to enhance crop production in their states. Our correspondent reports that the Republic of South Korea has handed over mechanised farming equipment worth over $500,000 to the Bayelsa State Government. The […]

From  Bassey Willie, Yenagoa & Dickson S. Adama, Jos

 

Bayelsa and Plateau states have received various agricultural machines to boost mechanisation and funds to enhance crop production in their states.

Our correspondent reports that the Republic of South Korea has handed over mechanised farming equipment worth over $500,000 to the Bayelsa State Government.

The items include four tractors, two rice transplanting machines, one rice seeding machine, 10,000 rice seed beds and four 10-tonne-per-day rice mills.

The equipment were presented to the state government by the South Korean Ambassador to Nigeria, Rear Admiral Kim Pankyu (retd) at the School-to-Land Farm complex in Yenagoa recently.

Speaking at the handover and rice planting demonstration ceremony, Amb Pankyu said the donation was part of a collaborative partnership between his country and Bayelsa State.

He stated that Bayelsa was endowed with a suitable soil and favourable weather for rice cultivation and expressed the optimism that the equipment and training of the state’s personnel would help boost rice production in the state.

“This event underscores the agricultural cooperation between both governments. The governor visited South Korea last year at the invitation of the South Korean government. His Excellency explored opportunities for agricultural cooperation with my country.

“Korea is promoting rice farming in Bayelsa by providing $500,000 of agricultural equipment. This support will help Bayelsa,” the ambassador said.

In his remarks, the Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, said the equipment were the first result of the collaboration between the two governments.

He noted that the gesture would boost the state’s effort to enhance food security and stimulate economic growth.

He also stated that the training of Bayelsans and the equipment would increase the productivity and efficiency of farmers just as the technology transferred would build their capacity and create employment opportunities.

He said his foreign trips exposed him to a lot of opportunities in the agric sector and directed the commissioner for agriculture and natural resources to  procure more farming equipment to boost production in the state.

He also called on TYM Machinery, one of the companies he visited in Korea, to establish a manufacturing plant in the state in order to create employment and stimulate economic growth.

“The partnership between Bayelsa State and the Republic of South Korea is a game-changer for our agricultural sector, and this handover of agric equipment and rice planting demonstration ceremony is just the beginning,” he said.

In Plateau, our correspondent reports that the state government, in collaboration with the World Bank, has provided 20 tractors and $250,000 to boost agricultural activities in 10 farming communities across the state.

The Plateau State governor, Caleb Mutfwang, who presented the funds to the communities in Jos, noted that the initiative was supported by the World Bank, in collaboration with the Plateau State Government under the Plateau State Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Day/CRF project.

He explained that the 10 communities received $25,000 each, amounting to $250,000.

He listed the 10 communities to include Guratop, Kerang, Zamko, Ampang West, Dinting, Jimin, Kaler, Plateau Club/Bingham, Pishe, Yashi and Wereh.

Mutfwang charged the beneficiaries to make optimal use of the funds, saying that the initiative is designed to create a revolving financial opportunity for broader community development.

“I want to thank the World Bank for the initiatives you have introduced on the Plateau. Let me assure you that by the grace of God, none of these projects will fail. We are committed to ensuring that the funds and equipment are judiciously used to uplift our people.

“Beyond implementing projects, our focus is to ensure that these investments lift our people out of poverty. The bottom line is to improve the standard of living of our people by reducing poverty,” he said.

At the same event, the governor presented 20 tractors to communities, as well as government agencies to all intensify their engagement in farming and to boost it, adding that the tractors would be effectively utilised to benefit both the state and its people.

Also, he revealed that the government, through the Plateau Agricultural Development Programme (PADP), had mapped out plans to secure over 200 tractors to further boost agricultural activities and food security across the state.

In his remarks, the World Bank country director for Nigeria, Dr Ndiame Diop, congratulated the 10 beneficiary communities and stressed the importance of addressing climate change’s adverse effects on agriculture.

“Desertification and climate change pose serious threats to agriculture, a key livelihood for Plateau residents. Through the ACReSAL, we aim to help vulnerable communities adapt to climate impacts while improving their livelihoods.

“This initiative complements a comprehensive framework for land and water management through a 10-year watershed plan,” he said.

Dr Diop commended Governor Mutfwang and his team for their dedication to the project’s success and urged the communities to use the funds responsibly for the benefit of their members.

In their separate remarks, some of the dignitaries commended Governor Mutfwang for fostering a conducive environment for meaningful partnerships that directly benefit the people of Plateau State.