N-HYPPADEC Distributes 130 Power Tillers to Kebbi Farmers to Boost Food Security
By Aliyu Usman, Birnin Kebbi
The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has distributed 130 units of 13-horsepower power tillers to selected farmers in Kebbi State as part of efforts to strengthen mechanised agriculture and improve food production, The Bureau News reports in this Nigeria News Today update.
The agricultural support initiative was unveiled on Friday in Birnin Kebbi, where officials of the commission said the intervention aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking during the distribution ceremony, the Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, said the programme is designed to reduce manual labour, increase productivity, and improve the livelihoods of farmers in hydroelectric power-producing communities.
Sadiq-Yelwa, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Technical Matters, Prof. Yasir Abubakar, said the commission procured a total of 850 power tillers for distribution across its 10 member states, with Kebbi State receiving 130 units.
“Agriculture remains one of the most dependable pathways to economic prosperity, employment generation, poverty reduction and sustainable food security,” he said.
According to him, the machines were distributed free of charge to carefully selected beneficiaries and must not be sold or diverted for personal gain.
He warned that N-HYPPADEC would closely monitor the use of the equipment to ensure the objectives of the programme are achieved.
The managing director also commended Governor Nasir Idris for supporting the commission’s development projects and agricultural interventions in Kebbi State.
Kebbi Government Commends Agricultural Mechanisation Drive
The Kebbi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Shehu Mu’azu, described the initiative as a major boost for farmers and a practical response to the need for modern agricultural tools.
Mu’azu explained that officials from participating states had earlier visited Thailand to study how power tillers are used to improve crop yields and reduce production costs.
“The only way to improve farmers’ production capacity is through modern agricultural mechanisation, particularly the use of power tillers,” he said.
He urged beneficiaries to make effective use of the machines and cautioned them against selling the equipment.
Farmers Applaud N-HYPPADEC Support
Also speaking at the event, Alhaji Sadiq Ubandoman-Gwandu praised N-HYPPADEC for sustaining development programmes aimed at improving the livelihoods of residents in member communities.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, Alhaji Ibrahim Dankubura thanked the commission for supporting local farmers and commended the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving food security.
The Bureau News reports that the commission is also planning additional agricultural support initiatives, including extension services, hand-driven planters, and knapsack sprayers to further strengthen farming systems across Nigeria.
With the distribution of the power tillers, farmers in Kebbi are expected to increase cultivation capacity and contribute significantly to national food production, making this intervention one of the key Nigeria News Today developments in the agricultural sector.
