Because of the relative advantage Gombe state has with land, the state government is harnessing that opportunity to boost food production through the ourchase of fertiliser at subsidised rate to be sold to farmers. AUWAL AHMAD reports.
Historical perspective to agriculture in Nigeria
Agriculture has generally impacted positively on the Nigerian economy. Historically, agriculture was once the major source of economic growth in Nigeria before the discovery of crude oil. Today, it still contributes to Nigeria’s economic development. Nigeria’s agricultural industry is crucial to its economic prosperity because it helps to employ many people.
Agriculture produces rewards rapidly and focusing on it is among the most effective strategies to accelerate growth and improve a country’s international status. This is beside its contribution to what is commonly referred to as food security or stomach infrastructure today.
As a result, it contributes to the creation of a favourable environment for a country’s overall economic development.
Nigeria is a country that is highly endowed with material and human resources. Investigation shows that one of these material resources includes a vast array of land that is arable.
There are many sectors in Nigeria that can contribute to the development of the economic status positively, but the role of agriculture cannot be sidelined. Looking at the lands in Nigeria, about 80 percent of it are arable. But funny enough, less than half of the land mass has actually been used for farming activities leaving a larger proportion fallow.
According to analysts in the sector, most of the people usually look at agriculture as a menial drudgey but the truth remains that a time would come in the history of Nigeria that the major source of income would be from the agricultural sector.
Agriculture contributes about 30 to 40 percent to the National Gross Domestic Product with most of the source for such income arising from the full participation of the rural populace in agriculture.
Ceasing the bull by the horn
In view of all these, Gombe state governor Alh Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya’s subsidy on fertilizer to farmers in this year’s farming season at 25% of market price of the commodity is his effort to support agricultural activities and ensuring food security in the state.
Speaking during the official flags off for the sales and distribution of the subsidised fertilizer for 2023 farming season at Lawanti Farm Service Centre in Akko local government area of the state, the governor said the commodity would be sold at the rate of N19,000 per bag against the market price of about N26,000 in order to alleviate the financial burden on the farmers.
While speaking he said, “The timely distribution of the subsidised fertilizers for this year’s cropping season is aimed at boosting agriculture and ensuring food security in the state and beyond while creating wealth and providing employment opportunities for the teeming populace.
The governor said further, “The government has procured 160 trucks (5000 MT) of fertilizer at the cost of two billion, eight hundred and thirty-seven million, five hundred thousand naira (N2,837,500,000.00), an addition of about 35 trucks from the quantity distributed last year.
“We understand that the high cost of fertilizer and other farm implements can be a significant barrier to our farmers. That’s why we are working diligently to make these essential inputs available at reduced prices to alleviate the financial burden on our farmers. Our aim is to empower our farmers with the essential resources to enhance crop yields, improve soil fertility, increase profitability and achieve sustainable agricultural practices.
“Gombe State is largely an agrarian state with over 80%of its population engaged in agriculture. “Supporting this sector is therefore crucial to economic development, food security and sustainable livelihood for our people,” the governor noted.
Corroboration with the governor
Also speaking, the director planning, research and statistics in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Ibrahim Yakubu Usman said the establishment of farmers-herder prevention and settlement of disputes committees, annual vaccinations against transboundary animal diseases, procurement and distribution of fertilizers, agrochemicals, farm equipment, building livestock infrastructures would improved the agricultural sector.
Speaking to Blueprint, Dr Abubakar Muhammad Sani, Special Project Coordinator CBN/RIFAN said agriculture contributes to the economic development of the country.
“Before the advent of oil discovery in Nigeria, agriculture has been the main source of income for the country. And for your information, agriculture provides the highest income for Nigeria when compared to the income the oil is providing for Nigeria now.
“Apart from that, Nigeria is also blessed with enough food to feed the nation during that period. However, the petrodollars attached to the oil industry turned the face of the then Nigeria government from the agricultural sector to the oil sector. And to be candid, this detrimental decision of the government has caused an adverse effect on the economy of the nation. However, despite the fact that the source of income from the agricultural sector has been shifted to the oil sector, agriculture still plays some major role in the development of Nigeria’s economy,” Dr Sani said.
He said that with the rate at which unemployment is increasing daily in Nigeria, there is an urgent need for the provision of employment for the youths through agriculture.
“Even though agriculture is no longer the main source of income for the nation, if proper intervention is given to the sector, the sector will in much more way contribute to the eradication of unemployment.
“Also, the venture into agriculture would reduce over dependence on the federal government as venturing into agriculture is a self-dependent business.
Dr Sani said that in 2010, the agricultural sector provided employment opportunities for about 30 percent of the population and the value has been on rising since then.
“If the opportunities of agriculture are being explored, believe me, the unemployment rate would be drastically reduced in the country.
“Most of the rural and urban farmers are willing to contribute to the economic status of the country but they are being capacitated by both finance and equipment constraints; therefore the provision of agricultural equipment for the farmers will definitely contribute in a positive way to the development of the Nigerian economy.”
