Farmers in Yobe State will now pay ₦50,000 instead of ₦100,000 to hire tractors for farming activities, following a 50 per cent fee reduction approved by Governor Mai Mala Buni. The decision is part of efforts to reduce production costs and promote mechanised farming across the state. Dr. Mohammed Goje, the Acting Secretary to the State Government, confirmed the reduction, describing it as a strategic move to ease financial pressure on farmers and boost food production. He said the policy is expected to increase access to tractor services, especially among smallholder farmers, and improve crop yields during the current farming season.
According to Goje, the reduction supports the Buni administration's agricultural development agenda, which includes rural economic empowerment and job creation. The government has also provided farm machinery, improved seedlings, and fertilisers to support productivity. "The Buni-led administration has consistently prioritised agriculture through investments in farm machinery, improved seeds, fertilisers and other agricultural support aimed at strengthening rural economies," Goje said. Officials believe the subsidy will encourage more farmers to adopt mechanised farming, reduce dependence on manual labour, and expand cultivated land area. The move is expected to enhance food security and increase farmer incomes across Yobe State.
Governor Mai Mala Buni's administration reduced tractor hire fees only after years of farmers paying double, raising questions about the timing of the relief. The state had previously collected ₦100,000 per tractor hire without subsidy, despite promoting the same agricultural agenda. If affordability boosts participation now, why was the fee set at ₦100,000 initially? Farmers who paid the higher rate for past seasons received no refund or explanation.
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