The Yobe State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources has reintroduced its long-dormant agricultural exhibition as part of a renewed effort to promote agribusiness and innovation across the state.
Speaking at the event in Damaturu on Monday, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Ali Goniri, said the exhibition, held in collaboration with the Agro Climatic Resilience and Semi-Arid Landscape (ACReSAL), was last conducted in 2006.
“The agricultural show and exhibition is a forum to showcase the abundant agricultural potentials, resources and products, consolidating past achievements, identifying challenges faced by the sector and charting the way forward. It is also a platform for promoting agribusiness, exchanging ideas and display of new innovations among farmers across the state,” Goniri stated.
Goniri also announced that Governor Mai Mala Buni had approved a new round of free distribution of farm inputs and equipment to farmers for the 2025 cropping season.
“Government is tirelessly working to provide additional inputs ranging from tractors, improved seed, solar water pumps, fertilizer and agro chemicals to support farmers realise their full potential for dry and rainy season production. I am happy to announce that any moment from now the ministry will embark on direct distribution of agriculture inputs to deserving farmers free of charge to further enhance agriculture value chain,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, ACReSAL State Coordinator Alhaji Shehu Mohammed reiterated the project’s commitment to supporting the ministry in achieving its goals.
He highlighted recent interventions including the training of 178 extension workers and disbursement of \$2.7 million to 111 communities under the Climate Smart Agriculture/Community Revolving Fund programme.
Other notable achievements included procurement of 40 tractors, distribution of 500 power tillers, 100 solar-powered irrigation pump sets, 1,000 knapsack sprayers, improved seedlings, and organic fertilizer for farmers.
The exhibition showcased a variety of items such as livestock, improved seeds, farming tools, and agricultural produce including sugarcane, mangoes, sesame, fish, and bananas.
As part of the 2024 Agricultural Empowerment Programme, 5,340 farmers—comprising both men and women from 178 wards—received free inputs and equipment from the state government.
