The Yobe State governor Hon Mai Mala
Buni has led a delegation to Turkey where he engaged with Turkish
investors on the need to to develop irrigation farming as well as meat
processing factories that will provide job opportunities and drive the
state’s economy to a better path.
general Press Affairs and Media to the Governor, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed
said the governor has while speaking during the visit described the
engagement as necessary as it will explore and expand irrigation
programmes to meet the food needs of the state and export some for
enhanced revenue.
Buni informed the management of AFKO
Pivot Irrigation Systems “We have the lands, the youthful population for
adequate labour, and water resources for large irrigation projects.
“We will deploy resources to make
irrigation farming attractive, profitable, and a major source of
employment for our youth,” Buni said.
“Government would support individual farmers and cluster farming groups to cultivate food crops like corn, rice, and wheat.
“The Government will also facilitate
cultivation of cash crops including Sesame seeds and groundnuts among
others,” the Governor emphasised.
Abdulgani Affura, the General Manager
of AFKO while speaking assured that his company would provide all the
required equipment to develop irrigation in Yobe state.
“We are working in 45 countries
across the world and with few in Africa. We will manufacture the
required equipment that is most suitable to your environment,” he
assured.
Mr. Tevfik Gumus, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, disclosed this when a delegation from the state visited the company in Konya, Turkey.
According to a statement from the director general Press Affairs and Media to the Governor Mamman Mohammed said the plant, when established, the company will assemble the tractors with complete accessories and equipment needed for agriculture from planting to harvests to make farming easy, attractive, and profitable in the state.
Tevfik assured that the company will produce equipment that is suitable for the state topography and climate and the North East in general.
The CEO said the company had been in existence 40 years and producing equipment suitable to conditions of over 60 countries across the world
“We provide solutions to agricultural challenges from Planting to harvests. The company also works on soil preparation and testing, training, and equipment.
“Our company is most willing to partner with your government to design, manufacture, and establish a plant in your state to serve you and other neighboring states,” he said.
Gov. Buni while responding assured the preparedness of his administration to partner with the private investors through the provision of necessary programmes that will ensure the smooth operation of any company willing to invest in Yobe State.
“We are determined to improve agriculture through irrigation, fight food scarcity, and unemployment to boost our economy,” Buni said.