From Abdulwahab Muhammad, Gombe
…4,000 MT of subsidized input to farmers’ cooperatives across 114 Wards
Gov. Muhammadu Yahaya of Gombe State, on Wednesday, flagged off the distribution of subsidised fertiliser for the 2024 wet season planting.
TheNewsZenith reports that this is part of the government’s sustained efforts to boost agriculture in the state.
Addressing farmers, agricultural stakeholders and community leaders, Yahaya reiterated his administration’s continued commitment to supporting the agricultural sector.
He pledged to key into the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope initiatives in the agricultural sector. This is to ensure food security for the state and the nation.
“Over the past five years, our administration has consistently prioritised the agricultural sector.
“We recognise its vital role in the livelihood of our people and the overall economic development of our state.
“Gombe State, being the heartbeat of the NorthEast subregion, is predominantly agrarian, with about 85 per cent of our population engaged in farming.
“Supporting and developing this sector is crucial to overcoming food security challenges and driving economic growth for the subregion and Nigeria at large,” TheNewsZenith quotes the governor as saying.
He said that for the 2024 farming season, the government has subsidised the fertiliser by 50 per cent.
According to him, the government has stocked over 4000 tons of fertiliser. Half of this is for direct sale to the farmers.
“The remaining half is for sale through cooperative societies. The cooperatives will have the option of repaying the government through their harvests.
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“This will ensure equitable and fair access to fertiliser, thus guaranteeing an optimum price for farm produce. It will also enhance food security in Gombe State and Nigeria at large.
With the 50 per cent discount, that means, a 50kg bag of NPK will cost N22,000. The fertilisers will be delivered to all our 114 political wards,” Yahaya said.
The governor thanked the Federal Government for supporting his administration by allocating 2,000 tons of fertilisers to the state.
He added that to complement the gesture, the state government also procured an additional 2,000 tons of assorted fertilisers, making a total of 4,000 tons for distribution to the farmers.
Speaking earlier, the State Commissioner of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr Barnabas Malle, commended the governor for tackling the constant disputes between farmers and herders.
Malle also hinted that the governor procured vaccines for the annual vaccination against transboundary animal diseases among many interventions aimed at boosting the agricultural sector in the state.
“The timely distribution of this year’s fertiliser is a confirmation of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s unrelenting efforts and strong determination to develop the agriculture sector,” the commissioner said.
He assured the people of Gombe state that the ministry would ensure equitable distribution of fertiliser.
Malle, however, warned that the Ministry would not condone diversion of the fertilisers.
“We will collaborate with relevant authorities to prevent those who may want to sabotage the government efforts on food security.”
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