Governor Ahmed Aliyu has flagged off the sale of subsidized fertilizer for dry season farming at Wurno Local Government Area of Sokoto State, marking the start of statewide distribution to support farmers.
Speaking at the occasion, the Governor disclosed that the State Government procured 52 trucks of Urea and 50 trucks of NPK fertilizer for sale at highly subsidized rates across the 23 Local Government Areas of the State. He explained that each Local Government Area will receive two trucks of Urea and one truck of NPK, and that the products will be sold strictly to genuine farmers within their respective areas.
According to him, Urea fertilizer has been subsidized by 62 percent, while NPK has been subsidized by 60 percent, with the aim of making the products affordable and accessible to farmers across Sokoto State. He added that the total of 102 trucks of Urea and NPK fertilizer cost the State Government N3 billion, noting that the expenditure underscores the firm commitment of his administration to supporting agriculture.
Governor Aliyu further announced that Urea will be sold at N19,000 per bag, while NPK will be sold at N18,000 per bag. He recalled that his administration had earlier distributed fertilizer free of charge to farmers on three different occasions after assuming office.
“When we came on board, we distributed fertilizer free of charge to farmers on three different occasions. However, we later discovered that the intended beneficiaries were not fully enjoying the subsidy due to the activities of middlemen,” the Governor said.
“This informed our decision to now sell the fertilizer at highly subsidized rates to ensure transparency and direct access by genuine farmers,” he added.
The Governor warned against diversion of the fertilizer and urged security agencies to remain vigilant and arrest anyone caught diverting the commodity. He also revealed that his administration has awarded a contract for the procurement of 250 units of MF-375 Massey Ferguson tractors at the cost of N22.13 billion as part of efforts to achieve full agricultural development.
“We are also working assiduously to revive irrigation facilities across the State to sustain agricultural production throughout the year. Contracts have already been awarded for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Lugu Dam, and I assure you that the Kware Irrigation Facility will also be renovated to support year-round farming activities,” he said.
Governor Aliyu appealed to farmers across the State to make judicious use of the fertilizer to enhance food production.
Earlier, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Tukur Alkali, commended the Governor for his unwavering support to the Ministry of Agriculture and farmers in the State. Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Almustafa Alkali, the Commissioner noted that beyond fertilizer, the Governor has provided other critical farm inputs to boost food production.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the Wazirin Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaid, praised the Governor for executing people-oriented projects across the State and supporting initiatives that directly impact livelihoods.
In his remarks, the Chairman, Committee on the Sale of Food Items at Subsidized Rates, Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo, said the committee recorded success in the sale of 280 trucks of rice, 115 trucks of fertilizer, as well as the Shagon Sauki initiative. On Shagon Sauki, he disclosed that the Governor has approved its expansion to Tambuwal, Gwadabawa, Wurno, and Illela Local Government Areas, while commending the administration for measures aimed at improving the welfare of the people.
