Yobe State Government Sells Subsidized Fertilizers N13,000 per Bag

The Yobe State Government has commenced distribution and sales of fertilizers for the 2022 cropping season at a discounted price at N13,000 per bag.

Speaking at the flagging-off ceremony, Governor of the state, Mai Mala Buni, said the development was part of the commitment to revitalize the agriculture sector for food sufficiency, security, and economic empowerment.

The governor described agriculture as the major preoccupation of the people, saying his administration would continue to give the sector the priority attention it deserves, and remain in tune with the Federal Government’s policy on agriculture as one of the most important sectors of the national economy.

He said, “This administration is dedicated to creating the right platform to support our citizens to generate employment, enhance self-reliance, and food sufficiency and contribute to the national agricultural policy for the attainment of food security in Nigeria. I wish to commend Mr. President on the Federal/Yobe State joint funding of the Jakusko-Nasari livestock development Centre and other agricultural incentives provided to both crops and livestock farmers across the Country. As you may be aware, the United Nations has warned of anticipated food scarcity and shortage due to some human and natural factors. Here in Nigeria, the security challenge in some parts of the country may affect food production. We should take advantage of the improved security situation in the state to boost agricultural production, and to also engage in irrigation farming. The State Government in conjunction with the World Bank, African Union (AU) and the Federal Government has completed the implementation of a 5-year Climate Change Adaptation and Agribusiness Support Programme in March this year and we have already granted approval for the continuation of the programme beyond the joint financing in the state as earlier proposed,” Buni informed.

Also, the governor disclosed that the state was making plans to implement an innovation to strengthen smallholder farmers’ capabilities for improved productivity.

His words: “We are processing the sum of N4 billion refundable counterpart fund for the implementation of the Innovative Strengthening of the Small-holder Farmer Capabilities towards Land Restoration amid COVID-19 in Nigeria to be funded 100 per cent by the African Union, adequate arrangements have been concluded for the take-off of the project. We are also collaborating with our development partners and relevant federal agencies to accelerate irrigation and livestock development in the state.  For us to sustain our gains in agricultural production, we have adopted a policy to make fertilizers available to farmers at subsidized rates. I have, therefore, approved the sum of N13,000 per bag of fertilizer to be sold to our farmers. Let me sound a warning that the government would not condone any act of diversion or sabotage,” the governor warned.

Agro Nigeria