By Beauty John, LAFIA
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state has flagged off the sale of 18,600 bags (930 metric tons) of NPK fertilizer to farmers for the subsidized rate of N5,000 per bag, and the distribution of Ruminant Feeds Supplement and Mineral Salt Licks to live stock farmers in the state for free.
The event took place at the Nasarawa State government house in Lafia today (Tuesday, 19th May, 2020).
Addressing the farmers, the governor said that, “the purpose behind subsidizing the fertilizer is to ease the burden on farmers, there by ensure that the current economic meltdown occasioned by the Coronavirus pandemic and its attendant effects on the economy, does not affect the prospects of the agricultural sector which is the mainstay of the economy of Nasarawa State”.
“It is for this reason that we are gathered here today to flag-off the sales of 930 metric tons (18,600 bags) of NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer for the year 2020 cropping season which will be sold to our farmers at subsidized rate of N5000 only per bag”.
Similarly, 990 metric tons of ruminant feed supplements, as well as 80 metric tons of mineral salt licks which was provided by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to livestock farmers and pastoralists across the State will be distributed for free .
According to him, “the support from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is intended to mitigate farmer/herder conflicts for rapid and sustainable development”.
Governor Sule revealed that just last week, they entered into an agreement with the Lower Benue River Basin Development Authority to access 500 hectares of land in Doma Local Government Area for the production of rice in the State.
He explained that it is intended to provide employment opportunity for the teeming youth, as well as cushioning the post-COVID-19 hardship in the State.
“This is with a view to open vistas of opportunities, as well as create wealth through agriculture,” he maintained.
The governor sternly warned that those handling the fertilizer sales will be held responsible for any anomaly in the distribution of the fertilizer in their respective domain.
“I should caution individuals and groups against purchasing the commodity and selling to farmers at exorbitant rates”.he said.
He warned that no amount should be collected from the distribution of the ruminant feed supplements and mineral salt licks from the target beneficiaries.
Speaking later at the occasion, the Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAM) Mr Simon Meshi , applauded governor Sule’s efforts towards improving large scale agriculture production in the state.
He thanked the governor for the quick intervention by providing fertilizer, Ruminant feed and Mineral salt licks for farmers across the state.
