Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state, recently flagged off the sale of over 42,000 bags of assorted fertilizer to farmers at a subsidized rate for dry season farming.
The governor, represented by his deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe at the ceremony in Lafia, said the gesture was a demonstration of the administration’s commitment to the agricultural sector.
He noted that the state was endowed with fertile land and good climatic condition suitable for the production of crops for domestic consumption and export, hence 80 per cent of the population was involved in agriculture.
“This administration has remained resolute in its determination to ensure that agricultural potentials of the state are fully harnessed for the overall benefit of the people,” Sule said.
He recalled that the government had in 2019, procured and distributed 1,370 metric tons of fertilizer to farmers at a subsidized rate to improve their yield.
“This flag-off of sale of fertilizer for dry season farming is in furtherance of government commitment to the effective distribution process in the delivery of farming inputs to farmers.
“It is also geared towards ensuring all-year-round farming with a view to attaining sustainable food production in the state,” he added.
The governor explained that the commodity would be sold to dry season farmers at the subsidised rate of N4,000 per bag, warning those handling the sale of severe sanction should any anomaly arose from the exercise.
He further cautioned individuals and groups purchasing the commodity and selling to farmers at an exorbitant rate.
The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Water Resources, Prof. Alanana Otaki, lauded the governor for the gesture and his continuous support to the ministry towards the implementation of farmer-friendly policies.
He highlighted the support to include: regular provision of critical farming inputs like fertilizer, agro-chemicals, improved seedling and training of extension workers.
Otaki said that over 200 farmers would benefit from the distribution of the fertilizers for dry season crop production, adding that more farmers have started keying in to ensure all-year-round production.
“It is our hope that our farmers will continue to appreciate the government’s efforts and support the administration to further develop the agricultural sector.
“Let me call on our dry season farmers to make effective use of the fertilizer to boost their crop productivity,” Otaki added.
Mr Samuel Meshi, state chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), appreciated the governor for the gesture, saying that the provision of fertilizers at a subsidised rate in 2019 had resulted in the bumper harvest in the state.
He however, appealed for a further subsidy from the government on all farm inputs, including fertilizer to ensure sustainable food production.
