Niger gov’t set to enhance food Security, partners Agric firm

Niger State Government has expressed its readiness to partner with YTO Agricultural Machinery giant to enhance the State’s effort to attain food security in Nigeria.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Agriculture, Hon. Salihu Bawa Bosso during a presentation done by a delegation from YTO Group Corporation at the Ministry’s Headquarters in Minna, the Capital of Niger State, Nigeria recently.

He said part of the focus of the present administration under the leadership of Farmer Governor Mohammed Umar Bago was aimed at attaining food sufficiency for all.

The Commissioner disclosed that the government is cultivating 250,000 hactres of land across the state in the first year of the present administration stressing that Niger State in the next few years would become the Agriculture food hub in Nigeria.

“We are happy that we are here to collaborate to ensure that we redirect the minds of our people into Agriculture. His Excellency, the Farmer Governor is committed to solving the critical problems bedevilling the society using Agriculture as a strategy to ensure that our people can feed themselves all round the year.

“We are happy to receive this Company so as to partner to ensure that mechanised agriculture is delivered to Nigerlites and Nigerians by extention. His Excellency have already demonstrated commitment to revamping the agric sector as we already have acquired over 1000 tractors, including planters, harvesters, power tillers and I’m sure we want more of these equipments” Bawa Bosso said.

Presenting YTO Company to Niger State Government, the Head of Procurement and Administration, Mr. Akintunde Akinkumi described YTO Group Corporation as a Chinese Agricultural and Construction Machinery Manufacturer owned by the Central Government of China adding that as the the largest Tractor Manufacturer in Asia, the Company was founded since 1955.

“As a result of the Company’s manufacturing expertise, YTO Group Corporation is a Company that we can introduce to participate in the agricultural transformation agenda of Niger State and Nigeria through their main authorised vendor; Tee-Pama Nigeria Limited in order to supply tractors and other farm equipments like Harrows, Plough, Harvesters among others.

“YTO brand have a lot of economic benefits as it is a 2024 model Tractor with Eighty Horse Power (80HP) and fuel consumption of four and half litres per honour when compared to other brands” Akintunde stressed.

He said the YTO equipment are technologically tracked to identify their location for security purpose emphasising that the tractors among other farm implements manufactured by Company, are highly durable and cost effective hence the need to partner the state government to deliver mechanised Agriculture to the good people of Niger State.

He expressed optimism that the Company will have a robust partnership with the State Government through the Ministry of Agriculture in line with the agricultural agenda of the present administration.

Highlight of the event was the questions and answers session and group photograph.