Adamawa Procures N3 Billion Fertilizer For Farmers

From Tom Garba, Yola
The Adamawa state government has disclosed that N3 billion worth of fertilizer have been procured to assist farmers in the state, while another N2 billion have been facilitated from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the use of women farmers in the state.
Governor Muhammadu Jibrilla Bindow, who stated this when he received members of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria Adamawa state chapter at the Council Chambers at the Government House, explained that Government was willing to assist the farmers to enable them ensure food security in the country and for export purposes.
The governor urged them to liaise with the commissioner for agric to enable government 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 70 per cent of the active farmers were illiterate and lived in the rural areas and were yet to feel government impact, especially in the areas of fertilizer and other farm implements.
He canvassed the 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 handover of the farming skills acquisition centres to the Federal government to enable it provide the needed services to farmers in the state, adding that poor harvest was anticipated this following the unavailability of fertilizer.
He called on the state government to provide utility vehicle to the group and appoint representative of the farmers into relevant committees to ensure adequate representation for 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, Umar Bindir, as well as the Commissioner of Agriculture, Ahmadu Waziri, who also spoke at the event assured that N1.3 billion from the N2 billion agricultural loan obtained by the previous administration was in the custody of the current administration and asked the executive of the farmers to apply for disbursement of the fund.