Bauchi govt begins sales of fertiliser for 2023 wet season

By Olaide Ayinde

The Bauchi State Government, on Tuesday, commenced sales of fertiliser for 2023 cropping season at the cost of N15,000 per bag.

Gov. Bala Mohammed stated this at the inauguration of the 2023 Farming Season and sale of fertiliser in Azare, headquarters of Katagum Local Government Area of the state.

He said the gesture was to encourage farmers to achieve bumper harvest this rainy season.

Mohammed said that huge amount of money had been expended on procurement of over 200 trucks of NPK brand of fertiliser, chemicals for pest control and livestock vaccination.

The governor directed the state Ministry of Agriculture to monitor all negative tendencies in the sales and distribution of the fertiliser and inputs.

Mohammed, who expressed concern over the inability of farmers to acquire the needed skills towards improving their activities, said that efforts had been made to employ more extension workers to address challenges.

In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Jidauna Mbami urged farmers to plant early maturing seeds in view of the forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), which predicted low rainfall across north-eastern part of the country.

Also speaking, the Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in the state, Alhaji Yusuf Gambo commended the state government for subsidising the cost of fertiliser and inputs.

“This gesture will go a long way in encouraging large scale farming in our dear state this rainy season,” he said.

(NAN)