By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
Federal Government has supported the Gombe State Government with 2000 tons of assorted fertilisers to ensure food security in the country.
The Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, who disclosed this, said the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, supported his efforts to transform the agricultural sector by allocating 2,000 tons of fertilisers to Gombe State in this farming
In addition, they also procured additional 2,000 tons of assorted fertilisers, making a total of 4,000 tons of assorted fertilizers for distribution to the farmers this farming season.
Yahaya, 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, adding that Gombe State, being the heartbeat of the North-East subregion, is predominantly agrarian, with about 85% of the population engaged in farming.
He lamented that supporting and developing the sector is crucial to overcoming food security challenges and driving economic growth for the subregion and Nigeria at large.
Speaking at the flagging – off of the 2024 wet seasoning sales and distribution of fertilisers, on thursday in Gombe, the Governor, reiterated that over the years, his administration has invested billions of naira in procuring assorted fertilizers and other essential inputs, thus ensuring their timely distribution to the farmers at subsidized rates.
According to him, “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 organizations 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.”
Furthermore, his administration is actively working to take advantage of Gombe’s designation as Special Agricultural Processing Zone (SAPZ), in partnership with the African Development Bank, this project, he said, is to be located at the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park in Dadinkowa, along with agricultural training centers across the three senatorial zones, aimed at boosting the agricultural value chain and empowering the farmers with modern skills, knowledge and tools so as to ensure enhanced productivity.
“Agriculture is the backbone of both developed and developing economies worldwide. Despite the financial challenges we face, our government remains steadfast in its commitment to investing massively in this sector. Farming communities dominate the rural economy in Gombe, and substantial investment in agriculture is crucial for the state’s economic growth and development, especially with respect to harnessing the irrigation potentials across our major dams,” the governor said.
He reported the efforts made to encourage dry season farming which is yielding remarkable results, adding that they are harnessing the enormous potentials for dry season farming in locations such as Dadin Kowa, Balanga, Dogon Ruwa, Kuri, Nafada, Gombe Abba, Ashaka Gari, Dumbu, Dasa, Jigawan Iro, and Cham Dam for the benefit of the people.
“Over the past five years, the number of dry season farmers has increased, and the production of rice, maize, potatoes, and vegetables has seen tremendous growth”, while lamenting that ,”the recent visit to the Kingdom of Morocco was focused on establishing robust partnerships in agriculture among other sectors,” he said.
He further explained that they are eager to leverage on Morocco’s advanced agricultural technology to transform the agricultural sector and to bring a new era of agricultural development in Gombe State and also appealed to the farmers and pastoralists to foster harmonious and cooperative relationships.
“Conflicts between farmers and herdsmen, result in the destruction of lives and properties and hinder our nation’s development”, urging the farmers to respect grazing reserves and cattle routes and the herdsmen to avoid grazing on farmlands prior to harvest.
“On our part, government will not tolerate lawlessness and will support the Farmers/Herders Prevention and Settlement of Disputes Committee in order to ensure peace and harmony prevails in the state while expressing his profound gratitude to the Federal Government under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for supporting his efforts to transform the agricultural sector by allocating 2,000 tons of fertilisers to Gombe State in this farming season,” he added.
He said the timely access to agricultural inputs is crucial to enhancing agricultural productivity, hence , the flag-off of the sales of fertilisers to the farmers testifies to their commitment to enhancing agricultural production in the state.
” We shall ensure that the fertiliser reaches the grassroots by strengthening the fertiliser sales monitoring system so that the commodity reaches the correct beneficiaries. The Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, security agencies, and civil society organizations have been directed to closely monitor the effective sales of fertilizers to the farmers.
“For this farming season, 50% of the total fertiliser 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,” he added.
Furthermore, the Governor gave a discount of 50% granted to all farmers which means, a 50kg bag of NPK will cost N22,000 naira delivered to all our 114 political wards.
“As we continue to leverage on Gombe State’s comparative advantage in agriculture, we are committed to creating jobs and improving the livelihoods of the people. I urge our farmers to take advantage of the government’s substantial investment in the agricultural sector for their own benefits.
“In the spirit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, I encourage our farmers not to be daunted by the challenges posed by climate change and global economic crisis. I urge you all to embark on the farming season with renewed courage, hope and enthusiasm,” he said.
Also, the Commissioner of Agriculture and Animal Husband and Cooperatives,Dr Barnabas Malle commended the governor for the prompt release of funds for the annual vaccination against trans- boundary animal diseases such as contagious bovine pleuro pneumonia (,CBPP), pester des petits ruminants ( PPR), anthrax which is ready for launching as they have already received the vaccines from National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI),Jos.
He disclosed a large number of youths that being trained by the revitalisalition of Wajari Agricultural Training Centre to ensure that Youths embraced the modern farming practices which would reduce youths unemployment and restiveness.
“Let me assure you that the Ministry is ready to ensure that fertilisers distribution and sales would be monitored closely and will not allow any body or group of persons to sabotage your efforts in this direction,” he said.
The Commissioner called on the teeming Youths to embrace farming as a mainstay to avoid youth restiveness and he also promised that the sales of these items shall be monitored by his Ministry to ensure that the products are not diverted to unscrupulous elements to avoid compromising the agricultural revolution programme of the Governor.
Malle called on teeming farmers to take the advantages of the farming input distribution and sales to boost their Agricultural production and incomes.
