Bauchi State Government has officially launched the 2024 farming season with the flagging off of sales of assorted fertiliser and other farming communities, subsidizing fertilizer at N20,000 per bag.
This was as the state government provided financial support of the sum of $250,000 to selected farmers’ corporative societies across the state to boost food protection and promote agriculture.
During the ceremony which was held in Dass, headquarters of Dass Local Government Area weekend, the State Governor, Senator Bala Abdukadir Mohammed warned hoarders of the commodities to desist from such criminal act or face wrath of the law if apprehended.
Governor Mohammed also said that in an effort to consolidate agricultural initiatives, his administration plans to acquire additional equipment as well as employing extension workers to improve farming yields.
He further expressed his desire to support and motivate farmers to embrace farming in line with the current technological changes and new techniques.
The Governor said that despite the enormous challenges and limited resources, the PDP administration in the state under his watch has accorded agriculture the priority it deserves adding that he will establish production of fertilizer and its associated products before the end of his administration.
While commending the Federal Government, Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) and other partners, Bala Mohammed pledged to look inward to ensure that all farmers are involved.
On climate change, the Governor said that his administration will be proactive by planting early variety of all crops recommended by professionals for the economic gains.
He, however announced that the cost for the production of 50kg bag of NPK 20:10:10 which stands at the cost of N26,966 has been subsidised by the State Government at N20,000 per one bag.
He also said that in its determination to encourage massive food production to fight food crisis, the State Government is to unbundle all the forests locked as a result of security challenges in some parts of the state.
The Governor stressed that his administration has accorded the needed priority to agricultural sector since 2019 using the opportunity to launch Sixty new tractors, modern farming machines procured to encourage mechanized farming.
He then assured of adequate security provision for farmers to enable them gain access to their farmlands without fear of criminals invasion.
Earlier in his address, the Commissioner, Ministry of Agriculture, Prof. Simon Madugu Yelams said that the Ministry has taken effective measures aimed at ensuring availability of the fertilizer in all strategic locations for farmers to access the product without difficulties.
The Commissioner commended the Governor for creating enabling environment for agriculture to thrive in the state stressing that all policies and programmes are geared toward making agriculture attractive to the people.
The ceremony which ended abruptly due to a heavy downpour was attended by Emirs, top government functionaries as well as leadership of various farmers’ association who commended the Governor for his support to agriculture. END