Ninety percent of farmers in Kudan Local Government Area of Kaduna State use animal-drawn plough systems for land preparation and lack the needed manpower expertise that limits the scale of crop production.
This followed a survey conducted by an agricultural team under the auspices of a non-governmental organisation, PYXERA Global implementing the Rayuwa Project Initiative.
The Agricultural Specialist of Rayuwa Project, Mr. Nathaniel Otene while distributing 15 power tiller machines to farmers in Kudan and Kafur local government areas, said the development resulted in a very low income for smallholder farmers.
He said to tackle food security challenges in Nigeria and help the economic growth of smallholders the organisation, "PYXERA Global implementing the Rayuwa Project, distributed 15 power tiller machines to farmers in the area."
Otene said the machines would immensely help farmers in the efficiency of land preparation activities, with reduced drudgery and socio-economic benefits.
He explained that the power tillers were distributed to 15 farmers, drawn from farmers' cooperative groups on a smart subsidy arrangement.
Mr Otene said part of the Rayuwa Project's intention was to record good and viable agricultural results from mechanised farming to enhance the economic growth of farmers and tackle food insecurity challenges in Nigeria.
"It is estimated that 375 farmers beneficiaries in Kudan Local Government of Kaduna State and 200 farmers in Kafur Local Government of Katsina State shall be serviced with the power tillers for the 2024 cropping season," he said.
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The distribution of the power tiller machines was held in the Kudan Local Government secretariat, by the Project Director of Rayuwa Project, Dr Victor Chyka Unamma who said Rayuwa Project covered 70 per cent of the cost of power tillers while the farmers paid only 30 per cent.
Unamma further added that the mandate of the distribution and contribution of Rayuwa in this aspect is to reduce farm drudgery associated with land preparation and boost the economic activities of farmers in Kudan and Kafur local government areas.
The director said farmers will enjoy the use of the new micro-mechanised machines as a replacement for old systems of farming.
According to him, it will also address the high cost of tractors, urging the farmers not to sell the machines but to use them for service efficiency.
In a remark, the Chairman of Kudan Local Government, Shuaibu Bawa Jaja commended the efforts of the Rayuwa Project for bearing the 70 per cent cost of the power tillers given to the farmers in Kudan and urged them to provide more support to smallholder farmers.
Also speaking, the district heads of Kudan and Hunkuyi, Alhaji Halliru Mahmood and Alhaji Aminu Ashiru urged the farmers to use the Power Tillers properly and help other farmers who have not got the opportunity.
They advised governments at all levels to enhance the modern system of farming in the agricultural sector to address food challenges in the country.
