The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPPADEC) has flagged off the distribution of farm inputs, relief materials, and life jackets to communities across its member states.
The Managing Director of N-HYPPADEC, Abubakar Sadiq-Yelwa, disclosed this on Wednesday during the official launch of the distribution exercise in Minna.
Sadiq-Yelwa said the commission would distribute 850 units of 13-horsepower hand-driven tillers across the ten N-HYPPADEC member states, with 165 units allocated to Niger State.
He added that the commission would also provide 4,000 life jackets, various relief materials, and a cash donation of ₦10 million to residents of Niger State.
According to him, additional items for distribution include 500 bags of NPK fertiliser, 50 cartons of pesticides, and 100 cartons of herbicides to assist flood-affected communities in Mokwa and other local government areas.
“These initiatives are part of N-HYPPADEC’s mandate to promote sustainable community development in hydroelectric power-producing areas,” Sadiq-Yelwa said.
He noted that the commission was working closely with state governments and traditional institutions to enhance agricultural productivity and promote agroforestry for improved livelihoods.
“We are confident that these agricultural initiatives will enhance food security, strengthen rural economies, and create more opportunities for sustainable development,” he added.
In his remarks, Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State commended President Bola Tinubu for reappointing Sadiq-Yelwa as N-HYPPADEC Managing Director.
Bago assured the commission of the state government’s continued partnership and announced the donation of 160 water pumps to complement the commission’s efforts.
He urged farmers to embrace dry-season farming and pasture production to boost income and reduce communal conflicts.
“We are going to encourage farmers in the state to go into pasture production, whose prices do not crash.
It will help reduce clashes between farmers and herders, as well as the migration of nomads across the country,” the governor said.
The governor also revealed that the state government would collaborate with N-HYPPADEC on water harvesting and the reticulation of waterworks in New Bussa and Kuta.
Also speaking, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, Yahaya Abubakar, commended N-HYPPADEC for its interventions in agriculture and disaster relief, describing them as vital to food security and rural development.
In a goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Niger State Ministry of Agriculture, Dr. Matthew Ahmed, said the commission’s mechanisation support for smallholder farmers aligns with the state’s agricultural transformation agenda.
He added that the Bago administration had already provided over 1,000 tractors to farmers to enhance agricultural productivity across the state.
