SPECIAL REPORT:SALES OF FERTILIZER FLAGS- OFF IN ADAMAWA STATE.

By Innocent Daniel Zira.

The Governor of Adamawa state, His Excellency Senator Muhammad Bindow Jibrila, represented by his Deputy Engr. Matins Babale flagged-off the sale of fertilizer to farmers for the wet season farming 2018  at the Adamawa Agricultural Development programme (AD,ADP)  Headquarters Yola.

  The occasion started with a welcoming address by the Hon. Commissioner of Agriculture Hon. Waziri H. Ahmadu. He encouraged farmers to use the input judicioully.He added that the Government has decided to distribute the fertilizer through the  Private Public Partnership  (PPP) arrangement where suppliers will bring in their products and sale directly to the farmers.

The Governor also promised to continue providing some relief to the farmers through the subsidy component. In this regard, Government is providing a subsidy of one thousand naira  (#1000) per bag of 50kg of NPK and Urea. The Government has also gone into Private Public Partnership  (PPP) with many suppliers; Springfield agro Ltd to supply 15,000 metric tons of NPK 15:15:15 and 5,000 metric tons of Urea, BEE DEE ventures Ltd is to supply 2,000 metric tons of NPK 20:10:10 and NPK 15:15:15 while Bejafta company to supply 3,000 tons of NPK 20:10:10 which brings to a total of 25,000 metric tons at the total subsidy cost of five hundred million naira  (500,000,000). The sales price for the fertilizer will be #6,000 per 50kg for NPK 15:15:15, Urea for 5,000, NPK 20:10:10 4,500 per 50kg bags.

The fertilizer is to be delivered to farmers in all the 226 political wards in the state through eight  (8) primary distribution centers; Mubi, Hong, Gombi, Yola  (ADAP and Kofare) Numan, Mayo Belwa, and Ganye. The farmers have expressed delight and thanked  the Government for reaching them.

Lastly, Farmers have been advised to apply the fertilizers on their crops so as to raise their farm's output and ensure food security. In the same vein, certified seeds will also be available at the distribution centers at  #50 per kg subsidy;  Maize, Rice, soya beans and sorghum.