The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has donated 22,528 litres of Liquid Gel Fertilisers (LGF) to victims of 2018 conflict in Taraba.
Hajia Zubaida Umar, Director- General, NEMA, made the donation on Friday at the Handing-over of the approved Liquid Gel Fertiliser under the National Food Security Council to farmers affected in the 2018 conflict.
Umar said the 22,528 litres of LGF was the outstanding balance of fertilisers meant for Taraba under the National Food Security Council – Emergency Agricultural Intervention (NFSC – EAI) for states affected in 2018 conflicts.
Represented by Alhaji Aminu Ringim, Director of Finance and Accounts, NEMA, Umar said the liquid gel fertiliser was supplied as replacement for balance of NPK fertiliser approved for Taraba.
She recalled that NEMA had commenced distribution of NPK fertiliser to affected farmers in Taraba in 2020.
Umar said the exercise was inconclusive due to changes in regulations by the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFl), which led to the termination of the contract between NEMA and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA).
“This, however, stop the supply of NPK fertiliser to beneficiaries’ states.
“Following this termination of contract, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), NEMA commenced the process of seeking approval to substitute from Granular Powder Fertiliser to Liquid Gel Fertiliser.
“Be informed that One (1) Litre of Liquid Gel Fertiliser is equivalent to 50Kg of NPK 20-10-10 fertiliser,’’ she said.
Umar said that NEMA, therefore, commenced the process of procuring the Liquid Gel Fertiliser from certified and licensed suppliers of the input.
“The process which commenced in 2022 was concluded in February 2024 following approval by President Bola Tinubu, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This is with the intention that the Liquid Gel Fertiliser will reach the beneficiaries before the expiration of the cropping season.
“It is noteworthy that the approval by the President was on account of the efforts of Vice President Kashim Shettima GCON to ensure that all beneficiary states receive the balance of fertiliser due to them,” she said.
In his remarks, Gov. Agbu Kefas of Taraba thanked the Federal Government for the intervention.
Kefas, represented by Mr Saviour Nuku, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Special Duties, gave assurances that the inputs would be delivered to the targeted beneficiaries. (NAN).
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