President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned the agricultural mechanization center of the state of Katsina, where 400 new tractors and support implements have been met.
Tinubu declared during the commissioning ceremony: “It is not just about machines: it is food security, economic empowerment and the future of our youth. Once we will free ourselves from hunger, peace and prosperity, they will naturally follow.”
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The president also praised the administration of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda for his achievements in just two years.
“The remarkable progress you have achieved in just two years, especially in agriculture, infrastructure and social development, is commendable. You are a governor of honesty, integrity and commitment,” he said.
President Tinubu reassured Katsina's residents about the support of the federal government, declaring: “His governor is not walking alone: ​​the federal government is standing with him, next to the other.”
In agricultural development, the president emphasized that “agriculture must remain in the heart of Nigeria's development strategy. The era of subsistence agriculture has ended: we are investing in modern agriculture techniques, mechanization, irrigation and water management.”
The president also announced that the Agriculture Bank is being restructured and recapitized to make financing accessible to farmers at all levels. Declaring that Nigeria must achieve food sovereignty.
He also praised the state government for completing the Ajiwa-Ruwan Godiya road of 24 km in just 18 months, calling it “a testimony of its effectiveness.”
In federal projects in Katsina, the president confirmed that the second phase of the Katsina-Kano Road project is underway after the resolution of technical and bureaucratic issues. He also announced that contracts for the complete rehabilitation of Maraba – Kankara – Zango – Katsina Road and Sabuwa – Rimi – Danja – Dayi – Funtua – Dandume Road have been granted.
The Kano -Jigawa – Katsina – Maradi rail project is expected to be completed in 2026, which “will relieve the movement of goods and people, and reduce the load on our roads,” according to the president.
“Let me assure you again: Katsina has not been forgotten. Many more federal projects are in the process of supporting their growth and development,” said President Tinubu.
In a great event, President Tinubu also handed over the hand of Radda Governor in marriage.
Previously, in his opening comments, the Radda Governor highlighted agriculture, infrastructure, the development of human capital, security and the provision of services such as the pillars of its administration's development objectives.
“Katsina is an agrarian state, and most of our people depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. We have more than 450,000 small farmers with an average land size of 2.5ha, most of which depend on the government's support to produce in a profitable and sustainable way,” said the radda governor.
Speaking in the recently commissioned agricultural mechanization center, the governor explained that he would serve the 34 areas of the local government in the state.
“We have 400 Lovol tractors, 10 multifunctional combination harvesters, 400 disc and hatcheries, 70 tractors of tractors and 1,000 multiple planters with us today. Mechanization will help our farmers reduce the average culture cost per hectare and new lands for crop,” he said.
The governor revealed that his administration conducted an integral survey of 411,000 farms throughout the state, which represents more than 90% of the farms.
“More than 65% of the farms reported high supplies costs and low soil fertility as significant challenges. For this purpose, the State spent more than 20 billion to provide 400,000 fertilizer bags (20,000 metric tons) in 2024,” said the governor.
The Radda Governor announced that the distribution of 400,000 fertilizer bags for agriculture of the wet season of 2025 would begin the following Monday. He affirmed that the State has provided more than 6,000 water pumps with solar energy to support irrigation and agriculture of the dry season.
In the development of the infrastructure, the governor indicated the urban renewal project of the state of Katsina, which includes 55.53 kilometers of dual road of 4 lanes and more than 110 kilometers of the municipal roads.
“It is essential to know that the project was designed and completed in 18 months and earlier than expected.
“In just two years, we have built more than 160 kilometers of roads, intra -state connectivity improved and we have provided our people and companies an efficient transport,” added the Radda Governor.
Finally, the Radda Governor expressed his gratitude to President Tinubu for federal support in the fight against insecurity, including a direct intervention of 25 billion Naira.