The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has distributed power tillers to farmer groups in Kaduna State as part of efforts to promote mechanised agriculture, increase food production and improve rural livelihoods.

Speaking during the distribution of the power tillers to 320 beneficiaries in Kaduna, the Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, Abubakar Yelwa, said the intervention was aimed at reducing the burden of manual farming and enhancing productivity among smallholder farmers in communities benefiting from the commission’s programmes.

Mr Yelwa commended the Kaduna State Government for adopting a cluster-based approach to the distribution of the equipment, noting that the strategy would ensure wider access and effective utilisation of the machines.

He said the commission would monitor the performance of beneficiaries and consider providing additional agricultural support, including planters, sprayers and other farming implements to cooperative groups that demonstrate commitment and productivity.

According to him, N-HYPPADEC is expanding its agricultural interventions beyond equipment distribution to include youth-focused agricultural development programmes, extension services and value chain support initiatives.

The managing director disclosed that the commission was working with member states to identify unemployed youths who could be trained and engaged as agricultural extension officers to support farmers at the grassroots.

“N-HYPPADEC does not impose projects on states. We work closely with state governments to identify their priority needs and design interventions that will deliver the greatest impact on local communities,” he said.

Mr Yelwa also expressed appreciation to the Kaduna State Government for its support to the commission’s activities, adding that the partnership had facilitated the implementation of projects in agriculture, education, water supply, environmental protection and community development.

The Secretary to the State Government, AbdulKadir Mu’azu, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, said agriculture remained a critical sector for economic growth, job creation and food security.

He described the distribution of the power tillers as a major investment in the productivity and resilience of farming communities across the state.

According to him, the equipment will help farmers cultivate larger areas of land, reduce production costs and improve efficiency during the farming season.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, said the intervention was timely, especially as farmers prepare for the new farming season.

Mr Dabo noted that access to modern farming equipment would enhance productivity, increase farmers’ incomes and make agriculture more attractive to young people.

He commended N-HYPPADEC for sustaining interventions in hydroelectric power-producing and affected communities, particularly in the areas of agriculture, environmental management and rural development.

Earlier, the N-HYPPADEC state coordinator in Kaduna, Muhammad Bello, highlighted some of the commission’s achievements in the state.

According to him, N-HYPPADEC has executed projects including solar-powered boreholes, classroom blocks, erosion control works, educational support programmes and environmental sustainability initiatives.

He said the power tillers were being distributed to organised farmer groups and cooperatives to strengthen mechanised farming and improve agricultural output across the state.

Mr Bello urged beneficiaries to utilise and maintain the equipment properly to ensure long-term benefits for their communities.

The Emir of Lere, Sulieman Umar, who was represented by the Sa’in Lere, Alhaji Muhammad Yusuf, described the initiative as laudable, saying it was aimed at empowering farmers through the distribution of power tillers.

According to him, this intervention is timely and will go a long way in enhancing agricultural productivity, reducing the burden of manual farming, and improving the livelihoods of rural farmers across Kaduna State.

He urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the machines and ensure proper maintenance so that the benefits can be sustained for many years.

He also encouraged them to support other farmers within their communities by sharing knowledge and promoting mechanised farming practices.

Some of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to N-HYPPADEC and the Kaduna State Government, describing the intervention as a significant boost to agricultural production and rural economic development.

They pledged to use the machines responsibly and support efforts aimed at achieving food security in the state. 

(NAN)