By Jimoh Babatunde

Zamfara State became the first state in the country to benefit from President Goodluck Jonathan’s N50 billion Agricultural Mechanization Fund for the roll out of the Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises across the country.

Akinwunmi Adesina

The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, last week in Gusau launched the N144 million Emergency Mechanisation Intervention Support Services for Zamfara Farmers.

Speaking at the launch in Zamfara, Adesina said: “The initiative is a purely Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) strategy that will set up Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises in strategic locations to provide mechanized farm services to farming communities.

“These include leasing/hiring out of various types of agricultural equipment for land preparation, harvest and post-harvest operations, repair and maintenance of such equipment. The centers will also serve as an incubator for human capital development within farming communities.”

He disclosed that between 2014 and 2016, the Agricultural Mechanization Fund will establish a minimum of 1,200 Agricultural Equipment Hiring Enterprises (AEHEs) across the nation.

The Centers, according to him, will provide 6,000 units of tractors and their implements, 15,000 power tillers and over 20,000 planting, harvest and post-harvest equipment.

“The centers will be used to mechanize 4 million hectares of farmland in the country and expand food production by an additional 20 million metric tons. The centers are projected to create over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs for youths.

Adesina further disclosed that Zamfara State is having the first of the agricultural equipment hiring enterprises commissioned with three of the senatorial districts having a centre and the fourth centre located in Gusau, the state capital.

“The four centers will be fully equipped with 20 units of tractors and power tillers each and various harvest and post-harvest equipment.

“The total cost of the equipment for four AEHEs in Zamfara State is N144 million. The equipment are being deployed to Zamfara State through the state chapter of the Tractor Owners and Operators Association (TOOAN) to render emergency mechanization intervention support services to farmers in the state.

The Minister disclosed that the ministry will support farmers all across Zamfara State to have access to subsidized mechanized services from these agricultural equipment hiring enterprises.

“Given the recent communal clashes that led to the destruction of farm produce and death of traction animals, the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, will pay for 100 per cent of the mechanization services for the farmers between now and the end of the dry season.”

While noting that a total sum of N193 million has been approved to support free mechanization services for farmers in Zamfara State through the Growth Enhancement Scheme, Adesina said the tractors will be used to cultivate an average of 8000 hectares, covering plowing, harrowing and ridging tillage operations.

“The mechanization services will boost food production in the Zamfara State by an additional 32,000 metric tons of food. Over 1,000 jobs will be created for the youths.

“All this is in addition to the N14 Billion Naira Dry Season Farming scheme launched by Mr. President early this year for dry season farming, of which Zamfara State has benefitted significantly.”