No fewer than 24 farming cooperatives in Benue State have received a total of 90 power tillers from the National Hydroelectric Power Producing Areas Development Commission, in a move aimed at boosting agricultural productivity and supporting mechanised farming.
Officials of N-HYPPADEC disclosed that the distribution of the power tillers is part of the commission’s agricultural empowerment programme designed to enhance farm efficiency, reduce manual labour, and increase crop yields among smallholder farmers.
The beneficiaries, drawn from various farming cooperatives across the state, are expected to utilise the equipment to improve land preparation, reduce turnaround time, and expand cultivated areas during the farming season.
According to the commission, the intervention is targeted at strengthening the capacity of cooperative groups, which play a critical role in aggregating farmers, improving access to resources, and promoting collective farming activities.
Stakeholders noted that the introduction of power tillers will significantly ease the burden of manual farming, which has long limited productivity in many rural communities. The machines are particularly suitable for small and medium-scale farms, making them ideal for cooperative use.
In addition to equipment distribution, N-HYPPADEC emphasized the importance of training and proper maintenance, ensuring that beneficiaries are equipped with the knowledge required to operate and sustain the machines effectively.
Farmers who received the equipment expressed appreciation, noting that the intervention will help them increase output, reduce labour costs, and improve overall efficiency.
Experts highlighted that mechanisation is a key driver of agricultural transformation, stressing that access to appropriate tools and equipment can significantly improve productivity and support food security.
However, they also pointed out the need for complementary support such as access to finance, inputs, and extension services, to maximise the benefits of the intervention.
N-HYPPADEC reaffirmed its commitment to supporting agricultural development in its mandate areas through targeted interventions and capacity-building initiatives.
With the distribution of 90 power tillers, the commission is contributing to efforts to modernise farming practices, empower rural communities, and strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
