3 Billion Worth Of Fertilizer Procured By Adamawa State Government To Boost Agriculture
The Adamawa state government said three billion naira worth of fertilizer have been procured while another two billion naira have been facilitated from the Central Bank of Nigeria for women, who are predominantly into farming activities.
The effort is to assist more than sixty percent of rural dwellers who are into active farming as experts would be involved to encourage farming activities among farmers in the state.
Governor Muhammadu Umaru Jibrilla, who stated this when he received members of All Farmers Association of Nigeria Adamawa state chapter at the Council Chambers at the Government House, explained that Government is willing to assist the farmers to enable them them ensure food security and exportation of food items for improved revenue.
The governor, urged them to liaise with the Commissioner to enable government to create the enabling atmosphere for improved farming.
In his remark, Chairman of the Adamawa state Chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria Mr. Abo Jiddere said seventy percent of the active farmers are illiterate and lived in the rural areas but are yet to feel government impact especially in the areas of fertilizer and other farm implements.
He solicited for reactivation of agriculture extension service and monitoring of fertilizer distribution mechanism while gazetted cattle routes and earth dams should be made more functional to reduce incessant clash between farmers and cattle breeders.
The AFAN Chairman advocated for the hand over of the farming skills acquisition centers to the Federal government to enable it provide the needed services to farmers in the state adding poor harvest is anticipated following the absence of fertilizer.
He called on the state government to provide utility vehicle to the group, appoint representative of the farmers in committees that relates to farming to ensure adequate representation by farmers.
Mr. Jiddere particularly commended the media in the state for playing a vital role in educating farmers on modern farming as well as government programmes for the benefit of both rural and urban farmers.
Secretary to the State Government, Doctor Umar Bindir as well as the commissioner of Agriculture, Ahmadu Waziri, who also spoke at the event assured that one point three billion naira from the two billion naira Agricultural loan obtained by previous administration is in the custody of the present administration and asked the executive of the farmers to apply for disbursement of the fund.