By A. A. Mshelia
Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State has launched the second phase of the state’s Agricultural Empowerment Programme, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to shifting agriculture from subsistence to commercial-scale agribusiness. At a ceremony in Damaturu, Buni inaugurated the distribution of free farm machinery and agricultural inputs to thousands of farmers across the state.
The equipment and inputs include 40 Massey Ferguson tractors, 1,961 power tillers, 1,250 hand-push planters, and 553 multi-purpose threshers. Additionally, 3,410 solar water pumps, 830 fertilizer applicators, 195 crop residue crushers, 495 crop residue choppers, and 80 tricycles and motorcycles are to be distributed to boost farming efficiency. Buni also disclosed that bags of NPK fertilizer in its thousands would be made available to farmers at a 50 percent subsidized rate, along with 20,000 assorted improved seeds, a large supply of agrochemicals, 4,000 bunches of cassava stems, and various certified seeds.
Governor Buni emphasized that the initiative was designed to transform agriculture into a viable business sector, capable of sustaining livelihoods, ensuring food security, and driving economic development. “Therefore, this becomes necessary for the government to be more committed to developing the sector for our people to migrate from subsistence farming to mechanized agriculture,” he said.
This latest intervention builds upon earlier efforts by the Buni administration, which in 2024 injected over ₦15.3 billion into the agricultural sector through the first phase of the empowerment programme. That phase benefited more than 5,000 farmers across all 178 political wards in the state. The state government introduced strict verification processes to ensure that only practicing farmers receive the tools and inputs, enhancing transparency and impact.
Governor Buni’s broader agricultural reforms have included the training of 178 agricultural extension agents to provide farmers with modern farming knowledge and ongoing support. The administration also organized the first agricultural summit in over 30 years to promote innovation and partnership between stakeholders in the agro-sector.
Beyond crop farming, Yobe State has taken bold steps in livestock development. The governor created a dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development and spearheaded efforts to establish modern sesame processing and packaging centers in Machina, Nguru, Potiskum, and Damaturu. These initiatives have not only enhanced local value chains but also attracted interest from international buyers in the Middle East and North Africa.
In response to the growing challenges posed by climate change, the state launched gully erosion control projects and distributed climate-resilient seeds and solar-powered irrigation systems. These projects are designed to help farmers adapt to erratic weather conditions and increase productivity during both rainy and dry seasons. A newly commissioned water-quality laboratory now supports irrigation and ensures safe drinking water, underscoring the administration’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
The economic and social impacts of these interventions are becoming increasingly visible. Food production has risen, farmer incomes have improved, and thousands of jobs have been created, especially among youth and women. The introduction of solar-powered pumps and mechanized equipment has reduced labor intensity while boosting efficiency, allowing more land to be cultivated and harvested within shorter timeframes.
Governor Buni urged farmers to remain resilient and dedicated, stressing that Yobe’s path to food security and economic growth depends heavily on a vibrant agricultural sector. “We must remain focused, determined, and innovative. The future of our economy lies in our fields,” he said.
With continued investments and responsible leadership, Yobe’s transformation into an agricultural hub is gaining ground. The Agricultural Empowerment Programme has not only repositioned farming in the state but is steadily reshaping the socio-economic landscape, offering a model of rural development and inclusive prosperity for other regions to follow.
_Writen by A. A. Mshelia, Public Affairs Analyst, from Abuja_
