The Kaduna state governor has flagged off the distribution of 500 fertiliser trucks (about 15,000 metric tonnes) to smallholder farmers across the state’s 23 Local Government Areas.
The governor performed the ceremony on Monday at the Murtala Square in Kaduna, the state capital.
The governor mentioned that 240,000 bags of fertilizer would be distributed free to 120,000 smallholder farmers, each receiving two bags.
He explained that the fertilizers were distributed as part of the government’s effort to revive the agricultural sector in the state, which he noted has been a key part of the state’s economy in recent years.
According to his statistics, agriculture produces 42.81% of the state’s Gross Domestic Product and employs 42% of the workforce.
The governor further noted that the state, which is ranked number one in the country in ginger production, contributes to the production of maize, soybeans, tomatoes, sorghum, rice paddy, and cowpeas.
The governor also announced that N22.54 billion was allocated to the agricultural sector in the state’s 2024 budget, a huge leap from the amount allocated in 2023.
The governor listed some of the government’s achievements in the state in the past year. He highlighted that the government has encouraged livelihoods in rural areas and driven economic growth, including the Tallafin Noma initiative, the provision of solar-powered irrigation pumps, and the Africa Quality Assurance Centre project.
He charged farmers to use the fertilizers efficiently and effectively, noting that the intervention by the state government would improve the food security situation in the state and the country at large. According to him, the distribution would improve the amount of harvest for farmers in the state.
While speaking, the governor thanked all the stakeholders and those who agreed to partner with the state government to ensure the success of the distribution. The governor noted that with the combined effort of all individuals in the state, the state will continue to grow. He assured the residents that he is currently building a nation that will be prosperous for the state.
During the programme’s commencement, the State Commissioner of Agriculture, Murtala Mohammed Dabo, described the initiative as a major step toward developing the state’s agricultural sector. He applauded the governor for having the foresight to invest in it.
The commissioner charged the farmers with making good use of the fertilizers allocated to them, explaining that the country’s future depends on agriculture and that their dedication will contribute to this.
He noted that he would continue to work with farmers at every minute to ensure that the state’s agricultural growth would be taken to the next level before the end of the current administration.
He appreciated the combined efforts of the State Ministry of Agriculture, the Kaduna State Agricultural Development Agency, and the Kaduna State Committee on Fertiliser Distribution in ensuring the program’s success.
The commissioner noted that some of the outcomes of the exercise include improved yield, improved food security, increased food and crop production in the state, reduced poverty level, and improved livelihood in the state. He assured that the government will strengthen the agricultural value chain which will facilitate the distribution of goods from the farm to the market in the state.
