By Emmanuel Kwada
National lottery Trust Fund (MRTF) on Sunday distributed water pump machines to 25 rice farmers in Taraba.
Flagging off the distribution of vital agricultural equipment to farmers in Mutum Biyu, Gassol Local Government Area, Mr. Tosin Adeyanju, Executive Secretary of the fund, said that the machines would enhance irrigation farming in the state.
The fund was intervening in agriculture for the first time, having previously focused on education, sports, hospitals, and water supply, among other areas
Represented by Alhaji Sagir Mohammed, Deputy Director of Operations in the agency, he stated that the gesture aimed to impact the nation’s food security. He noted that Taraba was selected from the North East geopolitical zone for the pilot programme, adding that one state each was chosen from the six geopolitical zones across Nigeria.
He mentioned that the fund was intervening in agriculture for the first time, having previously focused on education, sports, hospitals, and water supply, among other areas. He explained that the challenge of food security informed the fund’s decision to support irrigation farmers in Nigeria.
This donation aligns with our mission to promote good causes for citizens, communities, and the downtrodden across the country
“We gather to celebrate a momentous occasion: the donation of vital agricultural equipment to farmers in Taraba State.
“This donation aligns with our mission to promote good causes for citizens, communities, and the downtrodden across the country.”
He recalled that the fund had, over the years, intervened in various areas in the state, such as providing sports equipment to 59 public primary schools and first aid boxes and kits to nine public secondary schools.
He also mentioned the donation of vital medical equipment to General Hospital Bali, as well as women empowerment sewing machines, among many other donations in Takum and Donga.
We are today distributing 25 pumping machines to support agricultural production, especially in irrigation
“We are today distributing 25 pumping machines to support agricultural production, especially in irrigation. Irrigation is crucial for improving agricultural production, and these machines will address some irrigation-related challenges that farmers face.”
“Our Monitoring and Evaluation team will conduct regular visits to ensure the equipment benefits the people.”
This donation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s agricultural industry
“This donation demonstrates our unwavering commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s agricultural industry. We thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support and vision for a better Nigeria,” Adeyanju said.
While urging the beneficiaries to make good use of the equipment, Adeyanju commended the FADAMA programme for their partnership and support by providing data on the targeted beneficiaries.
Earlier, Alhaji Abubakar Ibrahim, Director of Environment in the FADAMA programme, thanked the fund for its intervention. Ibrahim advised beneficiaries not to sell the equipment.
One of the beneficiaries, Mohammed Abubakar, from Lau Local Government Area, commended the federal government for the intervention, stating that the distribution of the equipment was timely. Abubakar assured that the equipment would improve the quantity of rice production in the state.
