N-HYPPADEC equips Kaduna farmers with 320 power tillers to boost food production

The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC) has distributed 320 power tillers to farmers and cooperative groups in Kaduna State to enhance mechanised farming and strengthen food production across rural communities.

Speaking during the distribution ceremony in Kaduna, the Managing Director of HYPPADEC, Dr Abubakar Yelwa, said the initiative formed part of the commission’s broader agricultural empowerment programme aimed at increasing farm productivity and improving the economic wellbeing of farmers in beneficiary communities.

Yelwa said the introduction of the power tillers would reduce dependence on manual labour, lower production costs and enable farmers to cultivate larger areas of land more efficiently.

He commended the Kaduna State Government for adopting a cluster-based distribution model, describing it as a practical approach that would ensure the equipment reached genuine farmers and was effectively utilised.

According to him, the commission intends to sustain support for the agricultural sector through additional interventions, including the provision of farm implements, extension services and value-chain development programmes.

“We are committed to transforming agriculture in our member states through targeted interventions that address the needs of farmers and promote sustainable food production.

“Our approach is based on collaboration with state governments to ensure that projects reflect local priorities and deliver tangible benefits to communities,” he said.

The managing director also disclosed plans to engage and train unemployed youths as extension support personnel to provide technical assistance to farmers and facilitate the adoption of modern agricultural practices.

Representing the Secretary to the Kaduna State Government, the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Malam Ahmed Maiyaki, described the intervention as a significant contribution to the state’s agricultural development agenda.

Maiyaki said the equipment would support ongoing efforts to improve food security, create employment opportunities and increase agricultural output.

He noted that access to mechanised tools remained critical to enhancing productivity and reducing the challenges faced by smallholder farmers.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Murtala Dabo, said the intervention came at a strategic period as farmers prepare for the cultivation season.

He expressed optimism that the equipment would improve efficiency in farming operations and encourage greater participation of young people in agriculture.

Dabo commended HYPPADEC for its consistent support to communities through projects in agriculture, environmental management, education and rural infrastructure.

Earlier, the Kaduna State Coordinator of HYPPADEC, Alhaji Muhammad Bello, said the commission had implemented several development projects across the state, including water supply schemes, educational facilities, erosion control projects and environmental protection initiatives.

Bello urged beneficiaries to ensure proper use and maintenance of the machines to guarantee long-term benefits and maximise their impact on agricultural production.

In his remarks, the Emir of Lere, Engr. Suleiman Umar, represented by the Sa’in Lere, Alhaji Muhammad Yusuf, described the programme as a timely intervention that would help modernise farming activities and improve the livelihoods of rural households.

He encouraged beneficiaries to use the equipment responsibly and promote mechanised farming practices within their communities.

Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation to HYPPADEC and the Kaduna State Government for the support, saying the power tillers would significantly improve their farming operations and contribute to increased food production in the state.