By Grace Joseph

The Bauchi State Government has procured a total of 10,000 metric tons of fertiliser for distribution to farmers at a subsidised rate.

The State Governor, Mohammed Abubakar disclosed this during the launch of the sale of fertiliser in Misau local government area of the state for the farming seasons.

Mohammed Abubakar warned against the diversion of fertilizer in this year’s farming season, saying that the government will take drastic measure against anybody who is caught in such an act.

He announced the constitution of a 16 man committee headed by Brigadier General Ladan B. Yusuf (rtd) to monitor the distribution and sale of the fertilizer to farmers in the state.

He said the NPK will sell for N2,700 while Urea will go for N3,000 ,advising that “no farmer should pay a kobo more than these prices this year to anyone in Bauchi State.”

 “Bauchi is an agrarian state; therefore there is the need to pay close attention to the agricultural sector. The government is poised to support farmers in order to succeed in the fight against the twin evil of hunger and poverty"

"The government is striving to reduce the burden and hardship of land preparation for farmers by ensuring that agricultural machineries are  made available and new ones acquired to meet the growing needs of farmers across the state"

He said that agricultural inputs will be provided to farmers in collaboration with the federal government and other donor agencies at subsidized rate.

Governor Mohammed Abubakar said that his administration will focus on the training and retraining of agricultural personnel in the state in order to meet up with the development of science and technology of modern day farming with the aim of boosting the capacity of farmers in the state.