The Sokoto State Government has flagged off the sale of subsidised fertilisers for the dry season farming at Wurno Local Council of the state.

The flag-off, contained in a statement signed by the Director-General, Media and Publicity, Government House, Abubakar Bawa, revealed that the state government has procured 52 trucks of Urea and 50 trucks of NPK fertiliser for sale at highly subsidised rates across the 23 local councils in the state.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu who spoke during the occasion, explained that each local council will receive two trucks of Urea and one truck of NPK, which will be sold strictly to genuine farmers within their respective areas.

According to the Governor, Urea fertiliser has been subsidised by 62 per cent, while NPK has been subsidised by 60 per cent, with the aim of making the products affordable and accessible to farmers across the state.

He added that the 102 trucks of Urea and NPK fertiliser cost the state N3b, noting that the expenditure underscores the firm commitment of his administration to supporting agriculture in Sokoto State. He further announced that Urea will be sold at N19, 000 per bag, while NPK will be sold at N18, 000 per bag.

“When we came on board, we distributed fertiliser free to farmers on three different occasions. However, we later discovered that the intended beneficiaries were not fully enjoying the subsidy due to the activities of middlemen.

“This informed our decision to now sell the fertiliser at highly subsidised rates to ensure transparency and direct access by genuine farmers.”

The Governor warned against diversion of the product and urged security agencies to remain vigilant and arrest anyone caught diverting the commodity.

He also revealed that his administration has awarded a contract for the procurement of 250 units of MF-375 Massey Ferguson tractors at the cost of N22, 125,938,207.50, as part of efforts to achieve full agricultural mechanization in the state.

“We are also working assiduously to revive irrigation facilities across the state to sustain agricultural production throughout the year. Contracts have already been awarded for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Lugu Dam, and I assure you that the Kware Irrigation Facility will also be renovated to support year-round farming activities,” he added.

Governor Aliyu appealed to farmers across the state to make judicious use of the fertiliser to enhance food production.

Earlier, the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Tukur Alkali, commended the Governor for his unwavering support to the Ministry of Agriculture and farmers in the state.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Almustafa Alkali, the Commissioner noted that beyond fertiliser, the Governor has provided other critical farm inputs to boost food production.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by the Wazirin Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaid, praised the Governor for executing people-oriented projects across the State.

In his remarks, the Chairman, Committee on the Sale of Food Items at Subsidised Rates, Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo, said the committee recorded remarkable success in the sale of 280 trucks of rice, 115 trucks of fertiliser, as well as the Shagon Sauki initiative.

On Shagon Sauki, he disclosed that the Governor has approved its expansion to Tambuwal, Gwadabawa, Wurno, and Illela local councils, commending the administration for introducing measures aimed at improving the welfare of the people.

The Chairman of Wurno local council, Abbas Isah Saddiq, thanked Governor Aliyu for selecting Wurno as the venue for the statewide flag-off. He lauded the Governor’s transformative initiatives across Sokoto State, particularly in Wurno LGA.