Delay in tractor allocation worries Sokoto ATA

He told Daily Trust recently that 40 farmers from the state have already indicated interest in the tractors, which he said, would be given out to farmers on loan basis as part of the transformation agenda of the present administration in the agricultural sector.“So far, 40 farmers have declared interest which we forwarded to the […]

He told Daily Trust recently that 40 farmers from the state have already indicated interest in the tractors, which he said, would be given out to farmers on loan basis as part of the transformation agenda of the present administration in the agricultural sector.
“So far, 40 farmers have declared interest which we forwarded to the headquarters on the 25th of May 2014 and we are still waiting for their response. I am even doubting if they have seen our document because if Zamfara State would start benefitting, I wonder what is delaying that of Sokoto,” he said.
According to him, even the bid forms were not made available to them by the ministry, leaving farmers, especially those who indicated interest, in a state of uncertainty.
The director said the Minister of Agriculture would have since been in Zamfara State to distribute tractors to farmers, but the event was postponed. “This morning, I received a message that it had been postponed again till the 2nd of next month,” he lamented.
He explained that based on the programme, farmers would bid for the said tractors, which would be given preferably to those who have formed an association and after depositing 10 percent of the money and upon bank guarantee.
The farmers, he said, were expected to erect a shelf and display the tractors and their inputs with the operators after which they would sensitise other farmers around them about their services.
Dr. Enesi said that payment for the tractors was made very easy as the remaining balance would be paid from the money they generate from rendering services to others.
He, however, denied that the tractors would be released only to the highest bidder, saying there was an agreed ceiling on the price.
Also speaking, the Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Sokoto State branch, Alhaji Murtala Gagado, said the delay has been a source of worry to farmers in the state.
He said that 50 of his members had shown interest in the tractors and that they have created eight centres where the tractors and their equipment would be kept for easy maintenance and usage.
He further said that they have set up a committee involving the state Ministry of Agriculture which was to ensure that the tractors were used for the purpose meant.
The aim, he said, was to ensure none of the benefitting centres sold its own tractor.
“My people have been disturbing me about this issue to the extent that I don’t know what to say to them because I have been telling them to be patient, that the tractors would soon come to them.
“They said the price of the tractor is N6.8 million but we will deposit the initial payment of N1.3 million, which is about 20 percent of the total price. As I am talking to you now, we have some of the interested buyers who are eager to make this deposit,” Alhaji Murtala said.
He, therefore, appealed to the federal government to hasten the allocation as doing so would enhance rice production in the state.