Inputs provided by Nasarawa State Government to farmers for dry season farming.
By Collins Sunday – Lafia
In order to ensure food sufficiency in Nasarawa state, Governor Abdullahi Sule has flag-off distribution of 300 metric tons of fertilizer in the state.
The Governor made the disclosure on Tuesday in Lafia stating that, the state government was concerned about the increasing prices of food commodities which prompted his administration to launch the sales of fertilizer and distribution of farm inputs to farmers for the 2021 dry season farming.
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“It would be recalled that, since inception of our Administration, we have made a solemn pledge to improve the agricultural sector for socio-economic development. It is for this reason that we have continued to give agriculture a pride of place, being the major occupation of about 80% of the Nasarawa State population.”
“This is intended to improve the livelihood of the people, ensure optimum employment of labour force, as well as achieving sustainable food security in the State.”
“As you are aware, Nasarawa State is endowed with fertile land and good climatic condition, suitable for the production of arable crops for both domestic consumption and export. Our Administration has, therefore, taken this advantage by attracting Investors like Olam Nig. Ltd, Dangote Group, Azman Rice, Flour Mill, amongst others for the overall economic development of our dear State.”
“The flag-off of the sales of 300 metric tons fertilizer to dry season farmers is a further demonstration of our avowed commitment to the development of the agricultural sector. The fertilizer will be sold at a subsidized price of N5,000 per bag. I, therefore, charge the beneficiaries to ensure judicious use of the commodity to increase your yields for enhanced benefits.”
Governor Abdullahi Sule (3rd left) presenting a bag of fertilizer to a farmer during the flag-off of the dry season farming in Nasarawa State.
“Let me, however, warn that those handling the fertilizer sales will be held responsible for any anomaly in the distribution of the fertilizer in their respective domain. Coordinators at various levels are to ensure remittance of sales to the designated bank account as any misappropriation will be meted with appropriate sanction. I should also caution individuals and groups against purchasing the commodity and selling to farmers at exorbitant rates”, Governor Sule said.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has donated over 1,200 bags of fertilizers among other farm inputs to 200 Rice farmers in the state to ensure sufficient food production during the dry season farming.
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammed Nanono who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Karima Babangida explained that the reason for the gesture was because of the flooding and insecurity challenges that farmers are facing, especially in the northern part of the country.
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“For over a year now, the ministry has been responding to these challenges of food unavailability by supporting farmers across the country. The flood which ravaged and destroyed thousands of farmlands affected sufficient food supply so there is need for conserted effort to promote dry season farming”, he said.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Honourable Commissioner of Agriculture And Water Resources, Prof. Alanana Otaki expressed gratitude to the dignitaries who graced the event, stating that the need for dry season farming was of enormous importance to the well-being of citizens of the state.
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“This activity is part of the commitment and fulfilment of Engr. Abdullahi Sule to the development of the Agricultural sector being the major economic base of the state.
“Bearing in mind that the state has comparative advantage in the production of all crops that are needed both locally, nationally and internationally, the sales of these inputs are of utmost value and importance to the farmers and other major stakeholders in the sector aimed at boosting their agricultural activities”, he said.
The Honourable Commissioner appealed to Governor Sule and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to look into the inadequacy of extension agents with a view to creating more man power in order to meet the target farmers in the state.
