A Senatorial candidate for Kwara North Senatorial District on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party Senatorial candidate (PDP ), Hon Zakari Mohammed, has donated new tractor to Baruten Local Government to boost farm production in the agrarian community.
Mohammad, who currently represents Baruten/Kaiama federal
constituency, however, cautioned the federal government against total ban on rice importation.
He warned that the government policy banning rice importation, if not carefully driven, could cause the price of the commodity to soar.
Speaking at the formal handing over of the tractor in Ilorin yesterday, the lawmaker said that the objective is to encourage mechanised farming in his constituency.
He said the tractor would be made available to farmers who are willing to use it a rate that is “less than half” of amount being charged for hiring such implement.
The lawmaker said the donation of the tractor was part of his zonal intervention in 2017 to procure two tractors; one each to be donated to Kaiama and Baruten, being the two councils he represents.
He said only one of the two tractors ordered for had so far been
delivered by the contractor while the second one is being awaited.
Mohammed, however, assured that as soon as it was delivered, it will be handed over to Kaiama Local Government.
Responding, the internal Auditor of Baruten local government, Alhaji Shittu Abdulazeez, who received the tractor on behalf of the council chairman, assured that it will be used for the development of farming in the area.
