Katsina establishes fertilizer plants

By The Citizen

The Katsina State Government has established four fertilizer blending plants, 52 cottage industries worth N117million across the state.

Besides, it has concluded plans to commence the distribution of 40,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer to farmers for this year’s planting season at a subsidised rate of N1,500.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Musa Adamu Funtua, disclosed this when the National Good Governance Team visited one of the fertilizer depot located in Daura.

Heobserved that the state spends N 500million on the procurement of assorted grains for distribution to farmers every year.

The Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, noted that fertilizer is very crucial for the development of agriculture in the country and urged the states to partner with the federal government to ensure the availability of fertilizer to farmers at all seasons.

Maku who stressed the need for more investment in agriculture observed that the northern region has the capacity to feed Africa with grains, especially rice.

He observed that the Federal Government has completed the 25,000 metric tonnes Strategic Grains Reserve in Dutsinma, Katsina state.

Speaking at the Youth Craft Village in Katsina, the state governor, Shehu Shema, said about N2billion has been spent by the state government in human capital development, adding that about 555 youths have been trained and N106million spent on youth entrepreneurship.