By Godwin Akor, Makurdi
Govenor Samuel Ortom today launched the sale of 50 units of tractors to Benue farmers at 50 per cent subsidy to encourage commercial crop production in the state.
Performing the ceremony at Benue Peoples House Makurdi, the governor said the tractors which were procured at the cost of N13.9 million were being given to beneficiaries at highly subsidised rate of N5.6 million representing only 40 per cent of the total cost while the state government bears 60 percent of the cost.
“This implies that of the subsidized cost, beneficiaries will pay the sum of N5,600,000.00 per tractor while government will bear the remaining 60 percent cost of N8,300,000.00 (Eight Million, Three Hundred Thousand Naira only ) per unit of tractor, this gesture is to enable our farmers afford the tractors”, the governor stated.
He said each local government would get one unit of the tractors while functional cooperatives and individual farmers would also benefit, stressing that monies recovered from the sales would be used to procure more units of tractors for the benefit of farmers.
According to the governor, the tractors which came with all their accessories must be used strictly within the state to help maintain its status as Food Basket of the Nation, cautioning that any tractor seen operating outside the state would be impounded and the sale revoked in accordance with the agreement between the beneficiaries and the government.
Ortom directed Council Caretaker Chairmen of the 23 local government areas to collaborate with Benue Agriculture and Rural Development Authority, BNARDA to train extension workers who would encourage massive crop production, noting that land clearing had already been captured in the 2020 Budget and would be implemented to encourage farming.
The governor also condemned attacks on Jootar in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State as well as the crisis at Tyo-Mu in Makurdi and sued for calm, assuring that he would soon meet with his Taraba State counterpart on the roadmap to peace in border communities of the two states.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Timothy Ijir, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mrs. Helen Atom, said the desire of the state to increase crop production through mechanization to encourage food security neccessitated the purchase of the tractors.
Also speaking, ALGON Chairman Benue State, Mr. Anthony Shawon, Tor Lobi, Chief Moses Anagende, State Chairman All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, Mr. Aondongu Saaku and representative of Women in Agriculture, Mrs. Ngizan Chahur. All commended the Benue State Government for the initiative and promised judicious use of the tractors.