The Yobe Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources has reintroduced an agriculture exhibition as part of its ongoing efforts to promote agribusiness in the state. This initiative is being held in collaboration with the Agro Climatic Resilience and Semi-Arid Landscape (Acresal).
The exhibition, which took place in Damaturu on Monday, was announced by the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Ali Goniri. He revealed that the exhibition, last held in 2006, would serve as a platform for local governments across the state to showcase their agricultural potential.
“The agricultural show and exhibition is a forum to showcase the abundant agricultural potential, resources, and products,” said Goniri. “It also aims to consolidate past achievements, identify challenges within the sector, and chart a way forward. Additionally, the event serves as a platform for promoting agribusiness, exchanging ideas, and displaying new innovations among farmers throughout the state.”
In his address, Goniri also announced that the state Governor, Mai Mala Buni, had approved another round of free distribution of farm inputs and equipment for the 2025 cropping season. He emphasized that the government is working diligently to provide essential resources such as tractors, improved seeds, solar water pumps, fertilisers, and agrochemicals to farmers in the state.
“Government is tirelessly working to provide additional inputs ranging from tractors, improved seed, solar water pumps, fertiliser, and agrochemicals to support farmers in realising their full potential for both dry and rainy season production,” Goniri stated. “I am happy to announce that any moment from now, the ministry will embark on the direct distribution of agricultural inputs to deserving farmers free of charge to further enhance the agricultural value chain.”
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In his remarks, the State Coordinator of Acresal, Alhaji Shehu Mohammed, pledged continued support to the ministry’s efforts in fulfilling its mandate. He highlighted key activities of the Acresal project, including the training of 178 extension workers, and the disbursement of $2.7 million to 111 communities under the Climate Smart Agriculture/Community Revolving Fund programme.
Mohammed further listed several initiatives, including the procurement of 40 tractors for farmers, the purchase and distribution of 500 power tillers, 100 sets of solar-powered irrigation pumps, 1,000 knapsack sprayers, as well as the distribution of improved seedlings and organic fertiliser.
The exhibition featured a variety of agricultural products, including livestock, improved seeds, farm equipment, and crops such as sugarcane, mangoes, sesame, fish, and bananas. In 2024, 5,340 farmers, consisting of both males and females from 178 wards across the state, benefitted from the free inputs and equipment provided under the Agriculture Empowerment Programme.
