Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state, Thursday, flagged off 1,020 metric tons of fertilizers for 2021 farming season.
Speaking at the event at Andaha in Akwanga local government area of the state, Sule disclosed that his administration is flagging-off the sales of a total of 1,020 metric tons which is 20,400 thousand bags of fertilizer, 1,950 sprayers, five tons of improved seeds and assorted agro-chemicals.
He further disclosed that effort was underway to procure more quantities of fertilizer to help rejuvenate most of the soils that have remained less fertile and unproductive.
The governor emphasised that the fertilizer would be sold to farmers at subsidised rate of N5000 only per bag.
The governor charged beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the commodity to increase their yields.
“I wish to also charge the ministry of agriculture and water resources and the local government distribution c67ommittee to ensure that the relevant small holder farmers benefit from this gesture of government,” he said.
Sule warned against any attempt to hijack the sales of fertilizer and other farming inputs, stressing that violators will be met with stiff punitive measures, irrespective of their status in the society.
“Coordinators at various levels are to ensure remittance of sales to the designated bank account as any misappropriation will be meted with appropriate sanction,” he said.
He equally cautioned individuals and groups against purchasing the commodity and selling to farmers at exorbitant rates.
He recalled that last year, the state government procured and distributed 240 metric tons of assorted fertilizers to dry season farmers at subsidized rates, while also procuring 930 metric tons (18,600 bags) of NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer for the year 2020 cropping season, aimed at improving agricultural production in the state.
