Food Production: Adamu Empowers Farmers With 100 Tricycles, 200 Soil-Tilling Machines

Former Inspector-General of Police and Social Democratic Party (SDP) governorship candidate in Nasarawa State, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, has empowered farmers with agricultural equipment and inputs as part of efforts to boost food production and tackle poverty in the state.

The empowerment programme, launched on Wednesday at the premises of the Esu Karu Palace in Karu, covered farmers across Keffi, Karu, Kokona, Nasarawa and Toto local government areas of the state.

The initiative featured the distribution of 100 tricycles, 200 soil-tilling machines, 2,500 herbicides, 1,200 litres of organic fertiliser, 1,500 bags of NPK and urea, 500 knapsack sprayers and other farm implements to hundreds of beneficiaries.

Speaking at the event, Adamu said the programme was aimed at increasing agricultural production, strengthening food security and improving the livelihoods of farmers across Nasarawa.

He said the initiative would also expose farmers to modern farming methods and equipment capable of improving productivity.

“We are not just here to support and empower our farmers but to introduce them to modern farming methods and implements that will aid in the production of more food for our people. We are empowering our farmers for increased food production and sustainable livelihoods,” he said.»

Adamu described Nasarawa as a predominantly agrarian state but noted that farmers continued to face challenges, particularly inadequate access to modern equipment and low-yielding crops.

According to him, the challenges have constrained farmers’ ability to expand production and contribute fully to the state’s food security.

He said that if elected governor, his administration would make agriculture a major priority in its strategy to address hunger and poverty.

“In line with my manifesto we hold the view and very strongly too that working together with our farmers we can end hunger and reduce poverty in Nasarawa State,” Adamu said.»

The SDP candidate also called on politicians and other individuals with the means to support farmers, stressing that increased investment in agriculture would lead to higher food production and ultimately reduce food prices.

“So whether you are a politician or not, if you have the means, please come out and also assist the farmers. Come out, out of the little that you have, assist the farmers. Because when you assist them, we are going to get more food. If you have more food in the market, the food will be cheap and everybody will get it,” he said.

Adamu stressed that the empowerment programme was not designed to compete with government agricultural initiatives but to complement existing efforts.

«“We know the government is trying its best to provide for the people of Nasarawa, but we know they will never be able to do it for everybody. So let them not think that we are competing with them, no. We are only contributing our own quota,” he said.