The distribution of fertilizer to smallholder farmers in Kaduna State was flagged off by Governor Uba Sani recently. The 240,000 bags of fertilizer was given to the state by the federal government to support farmers in the state, so that the pledge to embark on massive production of food, itself a part of the programme to boost agricultural practices in the country, will be further enhanced.
While flagging off the exercise, Governor Sani identified the significance of the gesture from the government. According to him, the exercise was intended to revitalize the agricultural sector towards ensuring food security.
The Governor said the smallholder farmers were carefully selected by representatives of the Kaduna State chapter of the All Farmers Associations of Nigeria, the Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, Kaduna Elder’s Forum and all dynamic governmental organizations, religious bodies, security agencies, and the state government. According to him, the distribution was pertinent as the state is a significant player in the country’s agricultural market.
He said, “I am extremely delighted to be here to flag off the distribution of 500 trucks of fertiliser, about 15,000 metric tons to farmers across Kaduna State. 240,000 bags will be distributed to 120,000 smallholder farmers for free.
“Today is a significant milestone in our journey towards the revitalization of the agricultural sector and ensuring food security. The smallholder farmers who will benefit from this exercise were carefully selected and this initiative demonstrates our steadfast commitment to empowering our farmers and energising our agricultural sector.”
The governor stressed that aside from the programme being designed to promote food security, the state is committed to it because of the determination of his administration to improve on the local economy of the state. He said further, “Agriculture is not only the backbone of our state economy, but also a vital contributor to our overall growth and development and according to our latest GDP report, agriculture contributes 42.81 per cent to Kaduna State GDP and employment.” That should be enough encouragement for the authorities in the state to rally people for a further development of agriculture. However, the governor said his administration has more reasons to take every available opportunity for the progress of the agricultural sector, as it contributes to the visibility of Nigeria in the sector on the global scene.
Hear him: “Our state is a significant player in Nigeria’s agricultural market. Ranking first in the production of ginger, contributing 76.4 per cent to the national output. We also lead in maize production, contributing 7.4 per cent of the national yield, and we run 2nd in soybean production, contributing 9.4 per cent.
“Additionally, we are proud of our contribution to tomato, sorghum, rice, and cowpea production, where Kaduna state consistently ranks among the top producers in the country”. The rankings, Governor Sani said, underscore the state’s pivotal role in feeding the nation and driving agricultural productivity, which was the reason behind the allocation of N22.54bn in the state budget to the sector. He said, “In the 2024 budget of Kaduna state, we allocated N22.54 bn to the agricultural sector in Kaduna state. This allocation marks a significant increase from previous years and demonstrates our resolve to cultivate a vibrant agricultural ecosystem.”
Speaking further the governor noted the initial setback experience in the ginger farming sector due to the outbreak of the ginger blight epidemic, which cost the state billions of dollars.
Addressing the blight epidemic, Sani said, “We distributed 12,800 units of agrochemicals and secured 1.6 billion recovery packages from the National Agricultural Development Fund to assist farmers in relaunching their livelihoods”. Sani pledged to continue working tirelessly to ensure that farmers receive the support they need to thrive and that our state agriculture grows from strength to strength.
The Commissioner of Agriculture in the state, Murtala Dabo, said the 500 trucks of fertiliser is an investment in the livelihoods and the future of the state. He had a word of advice for the beneficiaries. The commissioner told them not to fall to the temptation of trading off the farm input.
He said, “As we embark on the distribution of these 500 trucks of fertiliser, which will benefit over 120,000 farmers across the state, I wish to remind our farmers of the tremendous opportunity and task that lie ahead.
“This fertiliser is more than just an input. It is an investment in your farms, investment in your livelihoods and the future of our state. It is also proof of the Governor’s commitment to ensuring that every farmer has the resources needed to succeed. Therefore, I challenge our farmers to use it wisely, efficiently and with the commitment to improve”.
Corroborating the governor, the Chairman Fertilizer Distribution Committee, Abdulkadir Mayere, said the strategic allocation of N22.54bn to the agricultural sector in this year’s budget is a clear indication of the result of the commitment of Kaduna state government to the ideal of achieving a thriving ecosystem, boosting production and enhancing food security. He, however, warned that “(His) Excellency will not tolerate a single-bag diversion of these fertilisers around the 69 distribution points”.
