By Benjamin Joseph
The Kano State Government has procured fertilizers worth N6.2 billion for distribution to farmers to enhance agricultural production this cropping season.
The state’s Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Danjuma Mahmoud, revealed this during an interview with reporters in his office on Tuesday.
Mahmoud stated that 52 trucks carrying fertilizers valued at ‘N1.2 billion’ have already been distributed free of charge to farmers across the state’s 44 local government areas.
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He also announced that the government has purchased 180 trucks of fertilizers amounting to ‘N5 billion’, which will be distributed to farmers at a 50 percent discounted rate. He noted that the fertilizers were procured from the Kano State Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO), which has been ‘re-tooled’ to maximize production.
Furthermore, the commissioner disclosed that ‘440 trained extension workers’ have been deployed to all 44 local government areas to educate farmers on new improved seeds and other necessary farming inputs and activities.
He added that the government has commenced extensive clearance of cultivable lands to enhance farming activities in the state this season, allocating 1299 hectares at Dansoshiya bush for irrigation farming.
Similarly, Mahmoud revealed that the government is undertaking desilting of its numerous dams, including the Kafinchiri dam, to promote irrigation farming in the state.
He also mentioned that the state government has initiated a substantial construction of rural roads to facilitate the transportation of harvested farm produce.
‘After cultivating and harvesting the crops, there is also the need to provide good roads to evacuate the produce to their various destinations, including homes and markets,’ he emphasized.
The commissioner explained that all these measures are part of the state government’s efforts to address the prevailing hunger situation among the populace.
He noted that after earlier distributing palliatives such as grains to the people earlier in the year, the government has now embarked on these programs to boost agricultural production and ensure sustainable food security in the state.
