The Federal Government has supported the Gombe State Government with an additional 2,000 tons of assorted fertilisers to ensure food security in the country.
The state governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, who disclosed this at the commencement of the 2024 wet seasoning sales and distribution of fertilisers, on Thursday in Gombe.
He said, “The Federal Government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, supported our efforts to transform the agricultural sector by allocating 2,000 tons of fertilisers to Gombe State in this farming season.”
Yahaya noted that his administration also procured additional 2,000 tons of assorted fertilisers, making a total of 4,000 tons for distribution to farmers .
He also explained that over the past five years, his administration has consistently prioritised the agricultural sector, recognising its vital role in the livelihood of the people and the overall economic development of the state.
He added that the state, being the heartbeat of the North-East subregion, is predominantly agrarian, with about 85 per cent of the population engaged in farming.
Our correspondent reports that Gombe pegged fertiliser sales at N22,000 per bag, which is about a 50 per cent reduction in the price in the open market.
He observed that supporting and developing the sector is crucial to overcoming food security challenges and driving economic growth for the subregion and Nigeria at large.
The governor reiterated that over the years, his administration has invested billions of naira in procuring assorted fertilisers and other essential inputs, thus ensuring their timely distribution to the farmers at subsidised rates.
He added, “This initiative is part of our broader strategy to boost agricultural productivity and enhance food security.
“Additionally, our collaborations with the Federal Government and donor organisations like the World Bank and African Development Bank led to the implementation of various agriculture-related projects.
“These include – but are not limited to – the Sasakawa African Association, NG CARES, and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (L-Press), all of which have significantly increased food production in the state.”
Also, the state Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husband and Cooperatives, Dr Barnabas Malle, called on farmers to take advantage of the farming input distribution and sales to boost their Agricultural production and incomes.
