By Henry Agbu, Jalingo

Taraba State Governor, Agbu Kefas, has witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the 16 Local Government Councils in the state and Origin Tech Limited for the construction of rural roads across the state.

The agreement is part of the state government’s agricultural mechanisation and rural development programme, designed to improve access to farming communities, facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and expand opportunities for mechanised farming.

Speaking during the signing ceremony in Jalingo, Governor Kefas said the state government had acquired, delivered and tested agricultural and road construction equipment valued at about N16 billion to support the programme.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at opening up rural communities, improving farmers’ access to their farmlands and creating better conditions for increased agricultural production.

According to the governor, the partnership with Origin Tech Limited goes beyond the supply of equipment, as it also covers the proper deployment, operation and maintenance of the machinery.

Kefas urged the chairmen of the 16 local government councils to maintain strong engagement with their communities and provide an environment capable of attracting private-sector investment into the agricultural sector.

He noted that increased agricultural development would boost food production, enhance the state’s internally generated revenue and reduce dependence on allocations from the Federal Government.

Earlier, the Chairman of Origin Tech Limited, Prince Samuel Joseph, said Taraba was chosen for the programme because of its strategic location and significant agricultural potential.

Joseph disclosed that the initiative would cover both crop and livestock production, as well as the establishment of specialised agro-centres.

 He added that six agro-centres had already been developed through the company’s partnership with the Taraba State Government.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prof. Nicholas Oliver Nemesan, described the initiative as the Taraba Accelerated Agriculture and Rural Development Scheme.

Nemesan said the scheme would focus on agricultural production, mechanisation, irrigation, aggregation and processing.

He explained that the rural roads would connect farming communities to markets, storage facilities and processing centres, thereby facilitating the transportation of farm produce and improving farmers’ access to markets.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Taraba State chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Moses Maihankali, commended Governor Kefas for giving priority to agriculture as part of efforts to address economic challenges in the state.

Maihankali assured the state government and Origin Tech Limited of the commitment and cooperation of the 16 local government councils towards the successful implementation of the programme.