Delta takes delivery of 46 tractors to boost agric

The Delta State Government said on Friday that it had taken delivery of 46 tractors to boost agriculture in the state.

This was contained in a statement signed by Dennis Medi, the media aide to the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Patrick Muoboghare, in Asaba.

The statement called on farmers in the state to form cooperative societies to enable them hire the tractors at subsidised rates.

It stated that the ministry had placed order for 92 tractors, out which 46 tractors had arrived the state.

“The bulk of the tractors will be given to farmers at subsidised rates to encourage them go into commercial farming and boost food production, which is the hallmark of the ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ agenda,” it said.

The statement described the procurement of tractors as parting gift to farmers by Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan’s administration.

The statement quoted the commissioner as appealing to farmers take advantage of the gesture to boost farming by engaging in commercial or large scale farming.

Muoboghare commended the management and staff of the State Tractor Hire Agency for their commitment to the development of agriculture.

He called for timely assemblage of the knocked down parts and urged them to ensure adequate care and maintenance of the tractors.

Peter Onichabor, the General Manager of the Tractor Hire Agency, was also quoted as commending the state government for bringing revolution into agriculture, which has impacted the activities of the Agency.

“The Commissioner’s commitment had increased the tempo of activities in the Agency as the engineers and technicians are fully involved in the assemblage of the tractors,” Onichabor said.