Gov. Umar Namadi of Jigawa has again warned officials against hiking the price and hoarding of fertilizer in the state.
Namadi gave the warning on Monday during the launch of the 2023 fertilizer distribution to farmers in the state held at the Jigawa State Agricultural Supply Company in Dutse.
“As a government, we have the responsibility of providing a conducive atmosphere for farmers, as 80 percent of the indigenes of the state rely on farming.
“Priortization of Agriculture is part of the 12-point agenda of our administration, which we must fulfill and synergize with all stakeholders in the industry.
“Let me warn that whoever is found hiking the fertilizer prices or hoarding it will be punished.
The governor urged farmers to ensure they buy the fertilizer at the government’s approved price of N16,000 per bag.
In his remarks, the Chairman of All Farmers Association Jigawa State Chapter, Alhaji Idris Jaga, thanked the government for subsidizing the product and making it available.
He said: “A bag of fertilizer is sold at N26,500, but our government has provided it at a subsidized rate of N16,000.
“So on behalf of our people, I commend the administration for its effort, and we are grateful.” Jaga said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on Friday, at an event in the Government House in Dutse, Namadi had issued a warning against the diversion of fertilizer meant to be sold to farmers at subsidized rates. He tasked members of the fertilizer distribution committee to supervise and monitor the sale of the subsidized fertilizer to farmers across the state for the 2023 wet season farming.
NAN reports that the Jigawa government said it bought 120,000 bags of NPK fertilizer, which will be distributed among the 43 retail stores across the state and to be sold at N16,000 per bag. (NAN)
