NASARAWA: GOV. SULE PROMOTES AGRICULTURE, MAKES FERTILIZER AVAILABLE AND AFFORDABLE TO FARMERS IN THE STATE

By Wilson Bako (Lafia),

Nasarawa State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the promotion of Agricultural activities in the state through the provision of farm inputs at a subsidized and affordable rate to farmers in the state.

The state Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, disclosed this in Lafia the state capital on Tuesday at the flag-off of sales of fertilizer for this year’s dry season farming in the state.

He said in line with this policy, the fertilizer would be sold at a subsidized rate of #12,000 per bag as against the current rate of #21,000 in the market.

Engineer Sule, however, warned those saddled with the responsibility of disbursing the commodity to steer clear of any shoddy deals in the discharge of their assignment that any of them found wanting would face the wrath of the Law.

He said the State Government bought a total of 13, 000 bags of fertilizers, solely to be distributed to farmers in the state, while adding that, “anything to the contrary would be viewed as an act of sabotage”.

Governor Sule said his administration is desirous of ensuring that prices of foodstuffs come down and to the reach of the common man in the state, hence, “the encouragement of the dry season farming”.

Earlier, the Chairman House Committee on Agriculture at the state Assembly, Hon. Peter Akwe, expressed his gratitude to the State Governor, Engineer Sule, for what he described as his foresight and the timely provision of fertilizers for the dry season farming, which he noted would go a long way in ensuring that prices of foodstuffs in the state are reduced to the reach of the ordinary man.

Hon. Akwe, who also warned against the diversion of the fertilizers, however, pledged to keep a close check on the way and manner the commodity would be disbursed to ensure that it gets deep into the grassroots where the high number of the state farmers reside.

Also speaking, Chairman Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs and Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage (Rtd), commended the Governor for coming to the aid of the farmers, most of whom cannot afforded the exorbitant price of over #20,000 per bag of the commodity in the open market.

He charged those assigned with the responsibility of distributing the fertilizer to exhibit a high sense of responsibility by ensuring that the commodity reached the desired target.