NAN-AE-7
Tractor
Pankshin (Plateau) Oct. 17, 2016 (NAN) Each of the 17 Local Government Areas in Plateau is to receive 12 tractors to boost food production in the state under the Federal Government’s Tractorization Scheme.
Mr Stephen Jings, the Management Committee Chairman, Pankshin Local Government Area of Plateau disclosed this on Monday while declaring open a capacity building programme for tomato production clusters in Pankshin.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event was organised by the Plateau State Fadama III additional funding development project coordinating office.
Jings, who said the programme would soon commence, said the state government and the 17 LGAs had paid 70 per cent of the cost for the tractors.
He described as timely the capacity building considering the revenue being generated from tomato production in the state.
Jings said it would be good that farmers take advantage of the programme to boost their income as well as boost the economy of the council and that of the state.
“This council paid its counterpart funding to the Fadama III running into several millions of Naira.
“Our desire is to see that Pankshin boost its Tomato production so as to feed the State and Nigeria as a whole, ’’ he stated.
Also speaking, Mr Gideon Dandam, the State Project Coordinator of Fadama III additional funding Project, commended the Gov. Simon Lalong administration for its commitment to food production in the state.
Dandam said that the World Bank would soon disburse over N21 million to tomato farmers in Plateau aimed at helping them to boost their production.
Responding, on behalf of participating farmers, Mr Gambo Kargung thanked Fadama III, the State and Council for their concern towards the wellbeing and success of farmers in Pankshin.
Kargung assured of their readiness to put into practice whatever was learned during the programme so as to improve on their production capacity to strengthen the nation’s economy. (NAN)
TYC/DO/AFA
Edited by David Onilede/Felix Ajide
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