Borno Flags Off Fertilizer Sales Distribution, Warns Committee Against Diversion

Borno flags off 2024 fertilizer sales distribution, warns committee against diversion

– as IITA handover 17 metric tones of certified seeds to BOSG

By Madu Mohammed, Maiduguri

The Bormo state government has flagged off the 2024 rainy session fertilizer sales and distribution for farmers at subsidized price to boost this year agricultural production and warned distribution committee against diversion.

Flagging off the sales and distribution at the fertilizer deport, Farm centre, Maiduguri on Tuesday, the Borno state Acting Governor, Hon Umar Kadafur said ” I know have the singular honour and previlege to launch the 2024 sales of fertilizer and distribution to all farmers in the state. Government has procured 100 truck of the fertilizer to be sold at the subsidized rate of 50 percent discount to farmers across the 27 local government area of the state”.

“As you are all aware, fertilizer is one of most important ingredients for improve agricultural production as our local manure is grossly inadequate to cater for all our farmers needs especially, large scale farming., It therefore necessary to provide agricultural imputs to our farmers at the right time and at affordable prices, so as to ensure greater yield”, Hon Kadafur said.

“This programme underscores government commitment in the critical sector of agriculture to not only improve agricultural productivity but also food sufficiency in the state,”he said.

The Acting Governor said the Borno state government has given top most priority to the development of agriculture, stressing that concerted effort are made to mobilize both human and material resources to develop the sector.

Hon Kadafur said “towards this end, the state government has procured agricultural imputs such as tractor, chemicals among others. It is believed that it will go a long way in enhancing the productivity of our farmers. Government is therefore poised to ensure that our farmers are assured in every way possible to increase productivity ”

He urged farmers to make the outmost use by wisely and effectively improve agricultural production in the state, saying that ” let us work together to harness the potential of our land, so as increase productivity and to ensure food security for our communities”.

“As we embark on this journey into the rainy session, let us do so with determination and optimism, Let us sow the seeds of progress and dedication, we can cultivate a brighter future for all”, he added.

Earlier, the Borno state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural resources, Hon. Bawu Musami said Government has accorded top priority to agricultural sector in this state, last year , on 4 June 2023, Governor Babagana Zulum flagged off the 2023 fertilizer sales and distribution, as well distributed 312 tractors to each 312 wards of the state

Represented by his permanent Secretary, Alhaji Bulama Gana commended Governmor Babagana Zulum for support and Interventions to the agricultural sector

Similarly, the International institutes of Tropical Agriculture, (IITA), has also handed over 17 metric tones of certified seeds to the Borno state government for onward distribution to farmers in the state.

Presenting the seeds to the Borno state government, the Chief Party USAID and Principal Analysts IITA, Prakasch Silwal said the IITA is donating 17 metric tones of certified seeds to the government for onward distribution to farmers.

“This seeds are locally produced by farmers in Biu, Hawul, Kwaya Kusar and Shani local government areas of the state. The farmers testified that the seeds have produced 7 tones of maize per hecter”, he added.

Responding, the Acting Governor Hon Umar Kadafur said ” on behalf of Governor Babagana Zulum and the people of Borno state, I want to acknowledged the recieved of the seeds and express our gratitude to the the IITA .

In his votes of thanks, one of the beneficiaries, Fatima Goni thanked the Bormo state government and IITA for the fertilizer and the seeds and assured that the imputs will be put in good use.