By Ankeli Emmanuel, Sokoto
In an effort to boost and encourage agricuture and it’s value chain, the Sokoto State government said it has purchased fertilsers and other agro chemicals with 5.3 billion naira to be resold to farmers at a highly Subsidised rate of 40 percent discount.
Making this disclosure before flagging off the 2025 croping season fertilzer sales in Gwadabawa local government areas of the state the governor, Aliyu, hinted that they have purchased 105,800 bags of assorted fertilzer, including NPK 20:10:10 and Urea.
“Under the scheme, NPK 20:10:10 will be sold at ₦28,800 per bag, while Urea (Indorama) will be available at ₦29,800 per bag”,Governor Ahmed Aliyu assured.
Stating reasons why the gesture which was jointly purchased by the state government and 23 local government areas can no longer be free as usual, the governor said, “In the past, free distribution was grossly abused by unpatriotic individuals who denied genuine farmers access. This prompted our decision to introduce a subsidized system, ensuring that only real farmers benefit.”
The governor further confirmed that 12,800 bags of improved seeds, including Millet Super Sosat, Maize Hybrid, Cowpea, Sorghum, and Rice Faro 44, were purchased at a total cost of ₦60 million to further support farmers.
The state government also procured 340 cartons of herbicides (Force-Up, Bush Clear, and Glycot) at a cost of ₦16.6 million and insecticides (Rip Clear, Farm Super, and Knapsack) worth ₦20.05 million for distribution to farmers.
A statement by the governor’s Director General Media and Publicity, Abubakar Bawa quoted his principal as saying,
“In our commitment to achieving food security, we have awarded a contract for the procurement of 250 units of MF-375 Massey Ferguson tractors, valued at ₦22.1 billion.
“This demonstrates our resolve to promote large-scale farming in Sokoto State,” the governor announced.
Ahmed Aliyu who stressed that his adminstration remained committee to boosting agricuture, notes that contract for the reconstruction of Lugu dam and rehabilitation of Kware irrigation facility has been awarded just as he plans to provide tiller machines for small-scale farmers to further expand mechanised farming across the state.
The governor, however, urged farmers to make judicious use of the subsidised inputs and warned against diversion of the commodities, just as directed security agencies to monitor distribution and arrest anyone found guilty of diversion or hoarding.
Dignitaries who spoke at the occasion included the former deputy governor and chairman of the Committee for the Sale of Subsidized Commodities, Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo; chairman of Kware LGA, Ibrahim Sakamaru; Commissioner for Agriculture, Muhammad Tukur Alkali; and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ibrahim Dadi Adare.The Sultan of Sokoto
was represented by Dr. Jabir kilgori.
The occasion was witnessed by the APC leader in the state, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko; Speaker, Sokoto State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga; State APC Chairman, Isa Saddiq Achida; Secretary to the State Government, Muhammad Bello Sifawa; Chief of Staff, Government House Sokoto, Aminu Haliru Dikko mni; members representing Kware/Wamakko, Dange Shuni, Tureta, Bodinga, and Gudu Tangaza federal constituencies; Ahmed Abdullahi Kalambaina, Nasiru Shehu, and Sani Yakubu, members of the State Assembly; commissioners; special advisers; senior special assistants; local government chairmen; traditional rulers; and politicians, among others.
