Agriculturalist Advises Badaru On Using Agricultural Input As Palliatives To Farmers

Umar Akilu Majeri

The Jigawa State Government has been urged to help farmers across the 27 local government areas in the state by giving them farming implements to serve as palliatives as this will assist them during this period of COVID- 19 pandemic.

The call was made by a seasoned lecturer working at the Federal University Dutse Dr. Ado GARBA Jangargari of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension,

He stressed that the Covid-19 Pandemic may delay early planting as well as their ability to purchase all the needed farming implements by the poor farmers due to Lockdown, imposed in Nigeria.

He said most of the farmers have spent their savings during the lockdown period and that it has become imperative to advise His-Excellency the Executive Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Muhammed Badaru Abubakar on the devastating effect of COVID-19 in the Country.

Reports have it that the Nigeria Seed Industry currently has about 81,000 metric tons of certified Seeds of Rice, Maize, Sorghum, Soybean, Cowpea, Millet, and Groundnut, other include Wheat, Sesame and Potato which are ready for deployment and purchase by farmers for the production of foods and raw materials for Nigerians during the current planting season.

However, giving seed palliatives would serve as a subsidy as well as ensure that Seeds become available to most farmers, who no longer have money to purchase seeds for the planting season, having exhausted their savings on food and medication during the recent lockdown by the Government to contain the spread of the COVID-19 Pandemic in the State.