Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, on Thursday, flagged off the sales and distribution of subsidized fertilizer to farmers for the 2024 wet season as part of sustained efforts to boost agriculture in the state.
The Governor stated that 4,000 metric tonnes of the Subsidized Input is to be delivered directly to farmers and cooperative societies across the 114 political Wards in the state.
While addressing a gathering of farmers, agricultural stakeholders, government officials and community leaders, the Governor highlighted his administration’s commitment to supporting the agricultural sector in the state.
He pledged to key into the federal government’s Renewed Hope initiatives in the agricultural sector to ensure food security for the state and the nation.
According to him, “Over the past five years, our administration has consistently prioritized the agricultural sector, recognizing its vital role in the livelihood of our people and the overall economic development of our state.
“Gombe State, being the heartbeat of the North East subregion, is predominantly agrarian, with about 85% 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.”
“For the 2024 farming season, 50% of the total fertilizer in stock (2000 tons) will be sold directly to farmers, while the remaining 50% will be sold through cooperative societies, who will be given the option to repay the government through their harvests.
“This will ensure equitable and fair access to fertilizer by all and sundry, thus guaranteeing an optimum price for farm produce and enhanced food security in Gombe State and Nigeria at large.”
“Furthermore, a discount of 50% has been granted to all farmers. That means, a 50kg bag of NPK will cost N22,000 naira delivered to all our 114 political wards,” the Governor added.
The Governor further underscored the importance of timely access to agricultural inputs, particularly fertilizers, to increase crop yields and enhance food production.
He said that it was based on this that his administration, since its inception, continued to maintain the tradition of distributing agricultural inputs and equipment at the early beginning of every farming season.
Inuwa added, “With the distribution of these fertilizers, we are taking a decisive step towards ensuring that our farmers have the necessary resources to cultivate their land effectively during this wet season.
“Our goal is to not only achieve food self-sufficiency but also to position Gombe as a key contributor to Nigeria’s agricultural output.”
He further expressed gratitude to the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting his administration’s efforts to transform the agricultural sector by allocating 2,000 tons of fertilizers to Gombe State this farming season.
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.
The Governor also used the occasion to highlight the takeaways from his recent official trip to Morocco on advancing agriculture in Gombe State.
He said, “My recent visit to the Kingdom of Morocco was focused on establishing robust partnerships in agriculture among other sectors. We are eager to leverage Morocco’s advanced agricultural technology to transform our agricultural sector and bring a new era of agricultural development to Gombe State.”
He further reiterated the administration’s multifaceted approach to agriculture, which includes modernizing farming techniques, providing high-quality seeds, and facilitating access to other support from partners within and outside Nigeria.
The Governor stressed that the government’s efforts are aimed at transforming agriculture from subsistence to a more commercial and sustainable practice while positioning Gombe as an agriculture hub of the Northeast sub-region.
He also called on the farmers to utilize the fertilizers and other equipment earlier distributed judiciously and adopt best farming practices to maximise their yields, noting that the government would continue to monitor and support them throughout the season to ensure optimal use of the inputs provided.
Speaking earlier, the Gombe State Commissioner of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas Malle, explained that the timely distribution of this year’s fertilizer is a confirmation of Governor Inuwa Yahaya’s unrelenting efforts and strong determination to develop the agricultural sector.
He commended the Governor for re-constituting the prevention and settlement of disputes between farmers and herders, and the procurement of vaccines for the Annual Vaccination Against Trans-Boundary Animal diseases among many interventions aimed at boosting the agricultural sector in the state.
Malle assured Governor Inuwa and the people of Gombe state that the ministry will ensure the judicious and equitable distribution of fertilizer to farmers, maintaining that the ministry will not condone any form of diversion and will collaborate with relevant authorities to ensure those willing to engage in the act are prevented.
In a goodwill message, the Gombe State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Ibrahim Bomoi, noted that the timely distribution of fertilizer by the administration of Governor Inuwa forms part of a synergy between the State and Federal government to bolster agricultural development in the country.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Inuwa for his unrelenting efforts in rolling out policies and programmes that encourage food security and agricultural development in general, especially the donation of pieces of land to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to construct a veterinary complex in the state.
The District Head of Nasarawo and overseeing Senior District Head of Gombe, Alhaji Usman Shettima, who spoke on behalf of the traditional institution and the beneficiary farmers, thanked Governor Inuwa Yahaya for the timely procurement and distribution of fertilizer at a 50% discounted rate, stressing that the gesture will go a long way to assist farmers in their farming endeavours.
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
