Iliyasu Abdullahi Bah
In a significant move aimed at transforming Yobe State’s agricultural landscape and addressing food security challenges, Governor Mai Mala Buni has officially launched a comprehensive Mega Agricultural Empowerment Program designed to equip local farmers with modern tools, training, and financial support to boost productivity and create sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative, unveiled at a well-attended ceremony on Tuesday in Damaturu, targets thousands of beneficiaries across the state, including smallholder farmers, women cooperatives, and youth groups, with the distribution of high-quality seeds, fertilizers, tractors, irrigation equipment, and other critical farming inputs to enhance crop yields and reduce post-harvest losses.
Governor Buni emphasized that the program aligns with both his administration’s commitment to economic diversification and the federal government’s agenda for agricultural development, stressing that agriculture remains the backbone of Yobe’s economy and a vital tool for poverty alleviation.
The governor highlighted that the initiative would not only increase food production but also create thousands of jobs for unemployed youths, thereby reducing rural-urban migration and curbing insecurity linked to idleness and economic hardship.
Farmers and beneficiaries expressed optimism about the program, describing it as a timely intervention that would address longstanding challenges such as poor access to farm inputs, lack of mechanization, and limited market opportunities.
The Yobe chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) praised the governor’s vision, noting that the empowerment scheme would significantly improve productivity and income levels for rural households.
To ensure transparency and effective implementation, the government has set up a monitoring committee to oversee the distribution of resources and evaluate the program’s impact over time. Governor Buni also announced plans to collaborate with international agricultural organizations and development partners to expand the initiative’s reach and introduce advanced technologies such as greenhouse farming and climate-smart agriculture to help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns.
The launch of the Mega Agricultural Empowerment Program marks a major milestone in Yobe State’s quest for food self-sufficiency and economic growth, with expectations that the initiative will position the state as a leading agricultural hub in Nigeria’s Northeast region.
In an interview with The Journal Nigeria, Usman Mohammed Kalli, a lecturer at the College of Agriculture in Gujba, Yobe State, praised Governor Buni’s agricultural empowerment program as a transformative intervention for the region.
“This initiative marks significant progress for our agricultural sector, which has lagged behind despite security challenges,” Kalli stated. “The provision of 100 additional tractors alongside other modern farming implements will revolutionize production methods, enhance socioeconomic conditions, and substantially improve food security not just in Yobe but across Nigeria.”
He emphasized that Northern Nigeria’s heavy reliance on agriculture makes mechanization crucial, noting that “manual food production has become increasingly unsustainable and illogical in today’s world.”
The optimism was echoed by beneficiaries on the ground. Isa Sanusi, one of the program’s recipients, expressed renewed motivation, stating, “This support will empower me to scale up my agricultural production and contribute meaningfully to national food security goals.”
Ahmed Shuaibu described the initiative as a long-awaited breakthrough: “We are exhausted from outdated farming techniques that yield poor results. These modern inputs and equipment finally give us the tools to boost productivity, create jobs, and properly feed our nation.”
Both beneficiaries emphasized that the program’s practical support—from tractors to training—addresses critical gaps that have historically hindered agricultural development in the region.
Agricultural experts suggest this intervention could position Yobe as a model for Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, particularly in addressing the dual challenges of food insecurity and unemployment through sustainable, technology-driven farming practices. The overwhelming positive response from both academia and practitioners underscores the program’s potential to elevate agricultural productivity while stimulating economic growth in the Northeast.
Researchers have said that agriculture, in terms of employment generation, is by far the most important sector of Nigeria’s economy, engaging about 70% of the labor force.
According to the Oxford Business Group, Nigeria has the necessary conditions to boost food production in terms of climate, soil, rainfall, and topography. The report also stated that while initiatives have already been implemented by the federal and state governments to boost the sector’s productivity, more can be achieved through the introduction of innovative practices and the adoption of smart technologies to capitalize on economies of scale and drive the Nigerian economy towards growth in 2025 and beyond.
Stakeholders are urging sustained government commitment and community participation to ensure the program’s long-term success in transforming the lives of farmers and boosting the state’s overall development.