Governor Sule commences distribution of free fertlizer to farmers for 2025 cropping season

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has commenced the distribution of free fertilizer to deserving farmers in the state, with 500 beneficiaries selected across each of the 147 wards, with an additional 100 bags for each of the 13 local government areas of the state.

Governor Sule flagged off the distribution of the fertlizer during a ceremony at the Government House on Friday.

According to the Governor, the gesture is meant to further boost farming activities with a view to enhancing food security in the state and the country at large.

He reiterated that his administration would continue to provide conducive environment for investment in the agricultural sector of the economy of the state through timely provision of improved farm inputs and agricultural equipment for increased crop production.

Governor Sule said as part of his administration’s efforts geared towards food sufficiency, the state government has ventured into direct agricultural activities, having cultivated 2000 hecatares of rice last year, with further expansion of the farm to 3, 500 hectares to be cultivated in Jangwa and Danka/Ayarkeke in Awe and Obi Local Government Areas respectively.

“Today, we are commencing the 2025 cropping flag off and distribution of fertilizer to our teeming farmers in the state. The fertilizer will be distributed to all the local governments and administrative councils at no cost to the farmer. This is to ensure that all farmers across the state benefit from this government gesture,” he stated.

He however warned against diversion of the commodity.

“Let me categorically warn that those handling the distribution of the fertilizer and other farming inputs will be held responsible for any anomaly in the distribution of the commodities in their respective local government,” he said.

The Governor used the opportunity of the event to show appreciation President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for facilitating the distribution of free fertilizer to farmers across the 36 states of the country, as well as some state lawmakers for supporting government through the distribution of fertilizer and other farming inputs to farmers.

“Let me at this moment appreciate President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for this gesture of free fertilizer to the state, for which we are distributing free fertilizer to all the farmers.

“I also want to also, at this moment, appreciate so many of our stakeholders, especially some of our legislators, some of our members of the House of Assembly, such as Hon. Larry Ven Bawa, who has continued every year to be distributing free fertilizer to his constituency,” he said.

While noting the determination of his administration to fully harness the agricultural potentials of the state by strengthening the security architecture to allow citizens to go to farms without hindrance, he however pleaded with the people to support his administration since security is a collaborative responsibility.

In a welcome address, Nasarawa State Commissioner of Agriculture, Hon. Umar Tanko Tunga, said the flag off of the distribution of fertilizer to farmers for the 2025 cropping season is in line with the government’s policy of promoting food security, wealth generation, and the creation of employment opportunities for the able bodied population of the state.

Tunga disclosed that 500 beneficiaries from each of the 147 wards of the state have been idebtified to benefit for the distribution, with an additional 100 bags set aside for each of the 13 local government of the state.

The agriculture commissioner used the opportunity of the event to call on farmers who have previously accessed loan facilities from the state government to make haste and to repay the loans in order to enable other farmers to also benefit from the scheme.

“If we are to go through memory lane, administrations in the state have initiated programmes that facilitate farmer’s access to credit facilities at low rates in order to reduce the cost of production.

“Sadly, at the expiration of such programmes, the beneficiaries, by default, refuse to honour their obligations of servicing the loans collected. I want to state here categorically that the government loans are still loans and must be recovered no matter how long it takes,” he said.

He equally cautioned farmers in the state to be mindful of changes in the environment occassioned by climate change, urging farmers to be conscious of NIMET climate predictions for this year in order to avoid shortfalls in farming activities.

In a goodwill message, Chaiman of ALGON and Akwanga Local Government Area, Hon. Safiyanu Isa Andaha, lauded Governor Sule for the gesture, insisting that local government councils and development areas are the major beneficiaries of the gesture.

Hon. Andaha particularly appreciated the Governor for providing tractors for the use at the local government areas.

“Before this administration, no local government had functional tractors to boost agricultural activities, but today, I can proudly say that under your administration, every local government has at least four or even more functional tractors,” he said.

He disclosed that, following this gesture, there is no local government area in the state that is presently not cultivating around 150 hectares of farmland for either maize, rice, or cassava.

The ALGON Chairman promised to liaise with the Nasarawa State Economic Council, with a view to commence repaying agricultural loans accessed by farmers through the councils.

In a vote of thanks, the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Nasarawa State, Mr. Isaac Kigbu, commended Governor Sule for once more demonstrating the commitment of his administration to the development of agriculture in the state through the dissemination of fertilizer to genuine farmers in the state.

Kigbu further commended Governor Sule for creating the enabling environment for agriculture to thrive in the state, particularly the security measures put in place in mostly rural communities to enable farmers have access to their farms.

He however, pleaded for the government to procure additional tractors and other mechanized equipment in order to tackle the challenges of land preparation.

He assured that beneficiaries of the fertilizer distribution would use the commodity judiciously.