Katsina govt orders motorized tillers for farmers, revives Songhai farm centres

Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has announced the state government’s efforts to support year-round farming activities for the people of Katsina.

Speaking during the 2025 Citizens Budget participation and the launching of a Community Development Programme (CDP) in Funtua Zone, Governor Radda confirmed that the state government has placed an order for the supply of motorized tillers to be distributed to farmers across the state.

“The planned mechanized farm service centers to be established in each of the thirty-four local governments in the state will ensure easy access to heavy-duty motorized farm implements for easy cultivation at subsidized charges,” Governor Radda stated.

The governor also revealed that the state government will revive the Songhai farm centers in Katsina and establish a new one at Suduje in Daura emirate in partnership with the National Agricultural and Land Development Authority (NALDA). These centers will serve as training institutions for farmers.

“Experts have already inspected the centers, and we are working towards their possible revival as breeding grounds for modern agricultural practices,” the governor added.

Speaking further, Governor Radda emphasized that the state government will no longer provide farming implements to farmers on hire purchase or any unfavorable arrangements, but will instead stock the mechanized farm service centers with combine harvesters, tractors, and motorized tillers for small and medium-scale farmers.

The event was attended by the Chairman of Funtua Local Government, Alhaji Lawal Sani Matazu, stressing the need for Northwest Governors to join hands in prevailing on the Federal Government to brace up in the fight against security challenges in the zone for social economic recovery.

Matazu added that, this is necessary following the limitations of the State Governors in controlling security agencies in their respective States.

Also speaking at the public engagement, President of the Maize Farmers Association of Nigeria, Bello Abubakar Annur, who called for collaboration with indigenous and foreign investors to clear forests in the state for conversion to farmlands as a step to address the security challenges in the area.