The Federal Government has begun the distribution of 7, 200 tonnes of fertiliser to farmers in Jigawa as part of efforts to accelerate paddy rice production, Gov. Sule Lamido said.
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Lamido disclosed this while inaugurating the distribution of the commodity on Monday in Auyo, Auyo Local Government Area of the state.
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He said the gesture was part of palliative measures adopted by the government to assist farmers affected by the recent flood and boost rice production in the state.
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The governor, who was represented by the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu Isa, said more than 48, 000 hectares of farmlands across the state were earmarked for the cultivation of rice during the dry season.
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He said 2,400 improved rice seedlings would be given free to the farmers, adding that fertiliser and other agricultural inputs would be sold to the farmers at subsidised rates.
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Lamido said that each farmer would receive three bags of the commodity.
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“Paddy rice production is aimed to boost rice production in Nigeria and improve the living and economic status of Fadama farmers through two-season rice production.
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“It will also help farmers to cut the production cost of rice by the incentive given in the package.
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The package will provide each farmer willing to produce dry season paddy rice with three bags of fertiliser at 50 per cent subsidy and 50 kg free improved rice seeds per hectare.
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“In addition there is an option to each farmer to also have micro nutrients called agroliser, two kilogrammes at 50 per cent subsidy.”
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He said the state government had released N112 million to provide support to the farmers and enhance irrigation activities.
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“In its effort to augment the effort of the in this programme, the Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido has approved the release of N112 million for the provision of 2,000 tube wells, 2,000 hand pump packagess and fertiliser to at 60 subsidy to the farmers.”
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Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Akinwunmi Adesina, said the fertliser distribution effort was part of a comprehensive set of palliative measures to assuage the sufferings of the farmers affected by the recent flood across the country.
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The minister, who was represented by Alhaji Usman Dunama, the Director, Green House in the ministry, said the ministry had worked out modalities to support farmers and ensure the effective use of water resources to enhance agricultural activity and guarantee food security.
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He urged farmers to form cooperatives to enable them to access agricultural facilities provided by the government, to enhance food production and ensure food security in the country. (NAN)