By Ben Ngwakwe, Gombe
The Gombe State Government has commenced the distribution of assorted fertilisers to farmers across the state’s wards.
Speaking to journalists on Thursday at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture in Gombe, the State Commissioner for Agriculture and Animal Husbandry, Dr. Barnabas Malle, disclosed that over 22 trucks of fertilisers have been allocated to each local government area, while one and a half trucks were sent to each ward.
Dr. Malle noted that 76 percent of the total products were distributed to the 11 local government areas, while 24 percent were allocated to Gombe metropolis and other relevant organisations.
He further stated that the cost of the fertilisers remains ₦27,000 per bag, significantly lower than the market price, which currently ranges between ₦48,000 and ₦50,000.
According to him, the initiative aims to support farmers in boosting food production to cushion the effects of soaring inflation, especially as Gombe is predominantly an agrarian state.
Dr. Malle commended the state government for its pragmatic and innovative approach in addressing the fertiliser needs of farmers, urging beneficiaries to put the inputs to good use to ensure food sufficiency and surplus for export.
Each truck reportedly contains 600 bags of 20:10:10 fertiliser.
