Lalong  avails  19,400 Metric tonnes of fertilizers to farmers in Plateau

By Golok Nanmwa, Jos

 Plateau state governor Simon Lalong on Tuesday flagged off the sales of fertilizer for the 2018 farming season.

Speaking at the occasion which took place at Kanam local government area of the state ,Gov Lalong said ” It is with great pleasure that I welcome our teeming farmers in the State and the general public to this special flag-off/ceremony signaling the commencement of the sales of subsidized fertilizers to farmers for the 2018 farming season.”

 “I am particularly happy that since I assumed office in 2015, our Rescue Government has had the opportunity of undertaking the yearly Flag-off of the sale of subsidized fertilizers to farmers, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).”

 “This occasion is the traditional practice performed by Government to give farmers a clear picture of how Government intends to support farmers in accessing fertilizer; which is a key Agricultural Input that will enhance harvest in the farming season”. This event is therefore important to me because it affords me the rare opportunity of reviewing every year’s method of distribution, vis a vis the current one put in place, all in a bid to ensuring the effective and efficient distribution and sales of the commodity, to targeted small holder peasant farmers.”

 The governor also said “Let me take this time to quickly enjoin government officials, charged with the responsibility of sales to farmers to note that with every year’s distribution, I do expect an improvement in the transparent and accountable method of getting the fertilizers to the end users.” This will sincerely be seen only in the increased number of farmers who are seen to access the subsidized fertilizer with ease and at the stipulated sale price.”

” Equally, all farmers must endeavour to jealously guard and protect what has being acquired and the method put in place for the distribution of this essential Agricultural input. “You will do well to report any sharp practices usually perpetrated by middlemen, who buy the fertilizer at subsidized rate, only to resale same in the open market at exorbitant rates.” “This will not be tolerated by our Rescue Government which is desirous of having our peasant farmers obtain subsidized fertilizer at the right price to enhance their yield across the State.”

 “let me reassure farmers on the Plateau that I would not relent on my pledge of transforming the Agricultural Sector in the State. Generally speaking, the role of Government in Agricultural Development is basically to create an enabling environment for the public sector to thrive. “To this end, the State Government has committed time in the formulation and review of policies that will enhance best agricultural practices. “Our government has also invested massively in the tractorization policy with the purchase of 400 tractors to enhance mechanized large scale cultivation of land. We have also engaged 400 Agricultural Extension Workers and are at the verge of completing payment for the purchase and full takeover of the BARC Farms.”

 “Further to this, Government has consistently procured and sold fertilizers at subsidized rates to farmers at the beginning of farming seasons, since our assumption of office in 2015. We have also revived the Panyam Fish Farm through Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement and have paid counterpart funds for major Agricultural Value Chains that the State Government has keyed into. “We are not relenting in availing to our citizens the numerous opportunities that reside in the current Agricultural Revolutionary Programmes of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Government of President Muhammadu Buhari”. With this well laid foundation, I urge all our farmers to patiently wait to see the various programmes and projects in the Agricultural Sector progress to maturity in our State.”

 “For the year 2018 farming season, Government will be availing to our farmers a total of19,400 Metric tonnes of assorted fertilizers comprising Urea, NPK at N5,500 per bag, while 50kg of organic fertilizer will be sold to the public at N4,500; interested farmers will purchase the fertilizer through the Distribution Committees constituted at the State and Ward Levels. ”

” I wish to solicit for the support of all stakeholders in the Agricultural Sector, in the country and other Regional and International Agricultural Establishments, Educational, Research and Support Institutions, to continue to provide the necessary incentives and support that will aid Agricultural Development in the State and the Country in general.” I also urge all our Agricultural Stakeholders and farmers group in the State to work in synergy with one another, in their bid to complement Government’s efforts in achieving its desired goal of Agricultural Development.”

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Gov. Simon Lalong avails 19,400 Metric tonnes of fertilizers to farmers in Plateau