Kano govt purchases N6.2 billion fertilizers to boost agric production, food security

By Abdullahi Yusuf

Kano State Government has purchased fertilizers worth N6.2 billion for distribution to farmers to boost agriculture production in the state, this cropping season.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources,Dr Danjuma Mahmoud, disclosed this during an interview with newsmen in his office on Tuesday.

Mahmoud said 52 trucks of the fertilizers worth N1.2 billion had already been distributed to farmers in the 44 local government areas of the state, free of charge.

He also disclosed that the state government had procured 180 trucks of fertilizers worth N5 billion for distribution to the farmers at 50 percent discounted rate.

He said the commodity was purchased from the Kano State Agricultural Supply Company(KASCO) which he said had been “re-tooled” for maximum production.

The commissioner then disclosed that 440 trained extension workers had been dispatched to the 44 local government areas of the state to assist in enlightening farmers on new improved seeds and other required farming inputs and activities.

He said the government had also commenced massive clearance of cultivable lands to ensure improved farming activities in the state, during the season.

He said 1299 hectares of land had been set aside at Dansoshiya bush to boost irrigation farming in the state.

Similarly,Mahmoud further disclosed,the government is desilting its many dams, including the Kafinchiri dam, in order to boost irrigation farming in the state.

Already,he said, the state government had embarked on a massive construction of rural roads to facilitate the evacuation of the farm produce after harvest.

“After cultivating and harvesting the crops, there is also the need to provide good roads to evacuate the produce to their various destinations, including the houses and markets,” he said.

All these measures,the commissioner explained,are part of efforts of the state government to alleviate the prevailing hunger situation among the people.

Having distributed palliatives including grains to the people earlier in the year, he said,the government now embarked on the mentioned programmes to enhance agriculture production towards sustainable food security in the state.