The Yobe State governor Hon Mai Mala Buni has led a delegation to Turkey where he engaged with Turkish investors on the need to to develop irrigation farming as well as meat processing factories that will provide job opportunities and drive the state’s economy to a better path.
A statement issued by the director general Press Affairs and Media to the Governor, Alhaji Mamman Mohammed said the governor has while speaking during the visit described the engagement as necessary as it will explore and expand irrigation programmes to meet the food needs of the state and export some for enhanced revenue.
Buni informed the management of AFKO Pivot Irrigation Systems “We have the lands, the youthful population for adequate labour, and water resources for large irrigation projects.
“We will deploy resources to make irrigation farming attractive, profitable, and a major source of employment for our youth,” Buni said.
“Government would support individual farmers and cluster farming groups to cultivate food crops like corn, rice, and wheat.
“The Government will also facilitate cultivation of cash crops including Sesame seeds and groundnuts among others,” the Governor emphasised.
Abdulgani Affura, the General Manager of AFKO while speaking assured that his company would provide all the required equipment to develop irrigation in Yobe state.
“We are working in 45 countries across the world and with few in Africa. We will manufacture the required equipment that is most suitable to your environment,” he assured.
Similarly, the delegation had discussions with meat processing companies to take advantage of the large deposit of livestock in the state.
Yobe state is a hub of livestock deposit in Nigeria, we will take advantage of the large deposit to process and export meat to other parts of Nigeria and abroad.
“We are committed to processing both ruminants and cattle meats that can be used locally and internationally,” Gov Buni added.
Ismail Bagdu, General Manager, Teknotes Tasarim, a meat processing company said the company would provide modern abattoirs with modern equipment for a good package system suitable for exports.
Meanwhile, a Turkish Agricultural manufacturing firm, Abollo Agricultural Machinery Company, has indicated interest in establishing a tractor assembling plant in Yobe state.
Mr. Tevfik Gumus, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, disclosed this when a delegation from the state visited the company in Konya, Turkey.
According to a statement from the director general Press Affairs and Media to the Governor Mamman Mohammed said the plant, when established, the company will assemble the tractors with complete accessories and equipment needed for agriculture from planting to harvests to make farming easy, attractive, and profitable in the state.
Tevfik assured that the company will produce equipment that is suitable for the state topography and climate and the North East in general.
The CEO said the company had been in existence 40 years and producing equipment suitable to conditions of over 60 countries across the world
“We provide solutions to agricultural challenges from Planting to harvests. The company also works on soil preparation and testing, training, and equipment.
“Our company is most willing to partner with your government to design, manufacture, and establish a plant in your state to serve you and other neighboring states,” he said.
Gov. Buni while responding assured the preparedness of his administration to partner with the private investors through the provision of necessary programmes that will ensure the smooth operation of any company willing to invest in Yobe State.
“We are determined to improve agriculture through irrigation, fight food scarcity, and unemployment to boost our economy,” Buni said.