Yobe State procures N2.9bn Fertilizers in 4 years
The Yobe State Government on Saturday says it has expended over N2.9 billion on procurement of fertilizers from 2019 to date.
Dr Mairo Amshi, Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, stated this at a ministerial briefing in Damaturu.
She said that N1.5 billion of the amount was spent on procurement of 3,000 tones of NPK 20:10:10 fertilizers in 2021.
According to Amshi, distribution and sale of the fertilizer is ongoing through an open market at a subsidized rate of N13,000 per bag.
She also said that N1.4 billion was spent on supply of 7,500 tones of NPK 15:15:15 in 2020, adding that the commodity was sold to the farmers at N5,000 per bag, representing 40 per cent subsidy.
The Government, she said spent N882 million on procurement of 40 tractors in 2019, adding it had been given as loans to large scale farmers at N11million each, payable within four years.
Amshi said the state in collaboration with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), had vaccinated over 1.2 million cattle, sheep, goats and dogs within the period under review.
The commissioner said the state’s Livestock Development Programme is being supported by 135 veterinary surgeons, 47 animal scientists, five equipped veterinary clinics and 17 Area Veterinary/ Livestock offices across the state.
She said the state Government in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), set up livestock development centres at Jakusko/Nasari, Badegana and Gurjaje grazing reserves.
Amshi said the facilities were designed with boreholes, earth dams, veterinary clinic, feed lots, fish ponds, access roads, electricity, artificial insemination and milk collection units, among others.
Similarly, the commissioner said a Livestock Investigation and Breeding Centres (LIBC) had been established in Nguru to enhance livestock production.
To boost dry season activities, she said that over 2,000 hectares of land had so far been acquired for the take off of the 2022 LAVA irrigation scheme in some parts of the state.
According to her, the state in collaboration with Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria has established National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) North-East Outreach Station in Damaturu.
“The state also secured approval to participate in the Federal Government’s Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Programme ( L-Pres Programme)”.
(NAN)
