The Sokoto State government has spent the sum of N7.4 billion for the procurement of fertilizer and credit facility for farmers during this year’s wet farming season in the state.
A statement signed by Governor Aminu Tambuwal’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Muhammad Bello, quoted the governor as saying so while launching the sales/distribution of fertilizer and other farm inputs in the state.
According to him, the gesture was part of the state government’s effort to boost agricultural development in the state.
While noting that N3.4 billion was spent on the procurement of fertilizer, the governor also disclosed that N4 billion credit facility was secured for disbursement to farmers who cultivate cash crops such as rice, wheat, tomato and others.
He explained that the state government procured a total of 24,270 metric tonnes of assorted fertilizer (NPK and Urea) and would be sold at the subsidized rates.
According to the governor, NPK will be sold at N4,000 per bag, while Urea is to be sold at N5,000 per bag.
This, he said, is part of the government’s “plans and strategies… to mitigate the cumulative effects of the Corona virus pandemic currently ravaging the world especially on the agricultural sphere.”
He further explained that, “the credit facility will also cover other segments of the agricultural value chain, especially those engaged in the area of processing, storage and marketing”.
The state governor added that the state is collaborating with a Turkish firm to promote the massive cultivation of Sesame seeds in the current wet season.
