Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba has distributed 850 tractors and other farm inputs to farmers in the state.
The governor, during the unveiling of the distribution on Tuesday in Jalingo, said the newly purchased tractors would not be diverted.
According to him, the tractors will go straight to farmers.
Kefas said the machines were part of his total commitment to making Taraba state the ultimate hub of food production.
He reiterated his earlier declaration that Taraba state could feed its populace and the entire country.
“Taraba state has no business with hunger; with our vast land and potential in crop and cattle, we are now prepared to become the national leader in food security,” he said.
The governor emphasised that farmers remained the hope of the state and the nation as hunger was seen as a security threat to the nation.
He said that the machines were not just about technology but sowing the seeds of hope.
Earlier, the commissioner of Agriculture, Prof. Nickolas Namessan, said farmers would sign agreements on receiving the tractors.
Namessan added that the agreement document would make provision for their guarantors that would serve as sureties.
According to him, no fewer than 250 youths have been trained in the area of operating and maintenance of the machines.
NAN reports that the event is the second of the three-day programme designed to commemorate the governor’s first year in office. (NAN)
