Kur Jibu lauds Gov Kefas’ Agricultural Mechanization Project, enjoins Tarabans to utilize the initiative.
By Mtindiga Daniel
The pioneer second class chief of Jibu-Bali Chiefdom in Bali Local Government of Taraba State His Royal Highness Kur Abubakar Mahmood Adamu has lauded the giant strides of His Excellency, Dr. Agbu Kefas and called on Tarabans especially farmers to utilize the Agricultural Mechanization Project initiated by the Governor to enhance farming in the state and also improve the standard of living.
The royal father made the commendation and call in his Jalingo Residence while briefing journalists on the progress of the tractors distribution process.
He described Governor Kefas as a good teacher who went to class with a lesson plan.
“He came onboard to execute a project contained in his five finger agenda. He has Agriculture and Food Security, security, Education among others,” He stated.
He maintained that Dr. Kefas has great passion for the state and deep concern for Agriculture and that in his bid to give his Agricultural Mechanization Project a soft landing for the common good of Tarabans, he has tackled insecurity to the barest minimum.
“In the previous times, you cannot go to farm freely because of the insecurity but since he intended to improve food production in the state, he first tackled the problem of insecurity and Tarabans now can testify. People go to their farms farming from morning till night without fear of attacks by armed bandits.
“Having done that, he has appointed an adhoc Committee saddled with the responsibility to look into the problem of Agriculture in the state. He constituted and inaugurated them and they have also concluded their job and submitted their report to him.
“He ordered fertilizer, tractors and other farm inputs/implements.
On this too, he has constituted a Committee of people with proven integrity cutting across Age, Sex, Religion and institutions and am here representing the Taraba state Traditional Council of Chiefs and Emirs.
He gave the tractors with time of reference that all he needs is for the tractors to reach to the common farmers especially those in the rural areas. We have accepted it and sat together to see how we could fulfil His Excellency’s objective,” he added.
He stated further that, they have agreed as a Committee to distribute those tractors to cooperative groups at ward levels.
“We have one hundred and sixty eight wards in the state and we have requested each ward to produce a cooperative group of not more than fifteen to twenty members who will come to us and obtain forms, fill and submit for screening,” he said.
He however disclosed that, in order to safeguard the tractors from theft or misuse, they have requested for tracking even as he assured farmers of their readiness and commitment to ensure that they are not shortchanged in the process.
In his words“For the tractors to go to the grassroots, the ground is well covered. You are not acquiring this tractors without the signature of your traditional ruler and Local Government Chairman,”.
While calling on farmers not to allow His Excellency’s Agricultural initiative and support to go in vein, the monarch revealed that, the cost of one big tractor is 70million but His Excellency in his usual magnanimity, has slashed 50% of the amount to make it affordable by farmers in the state.
“The big tractor cost about 70million but His Excellency has decided to leave it at 50/50 so instead of the 70million the big tractor now is 35million. Farmers are expected to pay 17million for a start and complete the remaining balance in four years’ time.
“We are watching and by the grace of God and with the caliber of people that he has appointed, we are not going to disappoint you,” he assured.
