The National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission (N-HYPADEC) has distributed 50 hand-operated power tillers to small-scale farmers in Kogi State.
The presentation ceremony was held on Tuesday at the commission’s state office in Lokoja.
The Managing Director of N-HYPADEC, Abubakar Yelwa, who was represented at the event by the Director of Finance and Administration, Haruna Gabi, said the distribution forms part of the commission’s strategy to support the Federal Government’s drive to improve food production across the country.
He explained that the initiative followed discussions with 23 State Commissioners of Agriculture on practical ways to assist states in enhancing agricultural activities.
Yelwa stated that agriculture remains a critical sector of Nigeria’s economy and must be strengthened through mechanisation.
According to him, providing farmers with modern tools such as power tillers will increase efficiency, expand farm size, and improve overall yield.
In his remarks, the Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Timothy Ojoma, described the intervention as a major boost to the state’s agricultural development.
He expressed appreciation to the N-HYPADEC leadership and acknowledged the contributions of the State Project Coordinator, Michael Ajayi, and other staff members for ensuring the success of the programme.
Ojoma noted that the distribution marks the fourth agricultural support initiative implemented in the state since the beginning of 2026.
He recalled that earlier efforts included a partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the distribution of more than 30,000 bags of fertiliser through the state Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and additional farm inputs and machinery supplied by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
He also highlighted N-HYPADEC’s contributions beyond agriculture, including erosion control projects, classroom construction, education support programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and improved mobility through the provision of speedboats and motorcycles to communities.
The Managing Director of the Kogi State Agricultural Development Programme, Bello Ogorima, said the power tillers would help farmers cultivate more land and improve productivity.
He assured that the Agricultural Development Programme would supervise the beneficiaries and monitor the usage of the machines through its field officers to ensure maximum impact.
Beneficiaries, including Aliyu Sanda from Kakanda in Lokoja Local Government Area and Raji Nasiru, expressed gratitude for the support.
They said the equipment would ease farming activities, increase output, and create job opportunities for young people in their communities.
The distribution of the power tillers is expected to improve farm productivity in Kogi State and contribute to broader national efforts aimed at achieving sustainable food security.
