Kalshingi H Jedidah
Gombe state government has said it has procured 12,000 metric tonnes of assorted fertilizer and 35.5 metric tonnes of improved maize seeds, which it said was with a view to boost food production and ensures food security in the state.
Executive governor of the state, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo stated at the occasion of Flagg off of this year’s sales and distribution of the fertilizer in Gombe yesterday. According to him, such action by the state government was a demonstration of government’s commitment towards developing the agricultural sector, which he said, was the most vital sector of the economy.
“The agricultural sector is the largest employer of labour with over 70% of the people involved in agricultural and agro-based activities. The development of this sector is therefore imperative as it will impact positively on the lives of the citizenry.” He added.
He noted that, many farmers in the state have over the years engage in all season farming, by fully exploring agricultural potentials of the state, particularly, the Gongola river basin, the Dadin Kowa, and Galanga dams in the state. Even as he said, he was pleased with the current pace of agricultural development of the state.
He disclosed that, the state government was ready to support farming, and raise food production in other to maintain the leading role of the state in the north east sub region particularly, in areas of agricultural development.
The governor who declared that, the fertilizers would be sold to farmers at a subsidised rate of N3, 800 per bag, urged the State ministry of Agriculture and State Fertiliser Distrbution and Sales Committee to design allocation and distribution of the farm commodities as well as monitor the distribution to ensure that, the farm inputs reached the genuine farmers.
Director, Gombe state office of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Musa Inuwa who spoke earlier, commended the state government’s effort in agricultural development, according to him, despite the lowest amount receive by the state from the federal allocation, the state government had performed tremendously well in improving the agricultural sector.
He disclosed that, the Federal Government under the administration of President Mohammadu Buhari because of the level of priority it has accorded the agricultural sector, was coming up with growth enhancement programmes to that would address issues affecting the agricultural sector, including farmer/ grassier conflict which has been a source of concern to the sector.
Inuwa also called on the state government never to relent in seeking preventive measures against menace of bird-flu, which according to him, had been a threat to agricultural production everywhere.
