Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State on Monday flagged off the distribution of fertilisers to farmers across the twenty-three local government areas of the state to boost dry season farming.
The governor, while speaking in his remarks at Wamakko local government area, said the distribution of agricultural inputs free to farmers, including women and youths, for the 2024 dry season was with the sole aim of ensuring a bumper harvest and promoting food security by the special grace of Allah.
“As you are aware, the Sokoto State Government had earlier distributed various agricultural inputs during the last rainy season, which included 45,366 bags of NPK, 24,264 bags of Urea, 20,664 litres of agrochemicals, and 20,000 kg each of rice, sorghum, and millet seeds to farmers across the state.
“Similarly, youths and women groups received 1,000 water pumps, 23 multipurpose threshers, 3,000 tomato grinding machines, and 58 rice thresher machines at no cost. Alhamdulillah, our efforts had yielded positive results.
“We are also here today to distribute another set of inputs for dry season farming, which would in no small measure continue to enhance the growth of food productivity in our state.
“Each of the 23 local government areas of the state will this time receive 3 trucks of assorted fertiliser for the dry season farming.”
He said the idea is to ensure improved agricultural output in the state during the 2024 dry seasons and, by implication, create job opportunities for the teeming youths, especially at the grassroots.
“In our bid to boost irrigation activities in the state, I would like to once again inform you that the Kware Irrigation Scheme covering 450 hectares has been completed and will soon be allocated to our farmers.
“Furthermore, work on the Wurno Irrigation Scheme has commenced in earnest, while the contract for the rehabilitation of the famous Lugu Dam has been awarded and work would soon commence.”
The governor called on serving and retired civil servants, politicians, businessmen and women, youths, and the entire people of the state to take advantage of the golden opportunities his administration is providing in the agricultural sector and participate in one form of agricultural activity or another in order to be self-reliant and enhance economic growth in the state.
He said the state government is currently in partnership with numerous national and international organisations in order to make the agricultural sector one of the best in the country.
“Let me at this juncture assure you that the state government will continue to work diligently with the federal government and development partners so as to strengthen and enhance agricultural productivity in the state. This is with the aim of not only diversifying our sources of revenue but also ensuring food security in our great country.
“It is our firm belief that the only approach we can adopt to ensure improved living conditions for our people is by enhancing agricultural productivity in the state. The government will continue to provide all necessary support to the teeming farmers through the provision of farm inputs such as agricultural machines, fertilisers, agrochemicals, seeds, and other support services.
“We would, Insha Allah, strengthen our farmers to go into cash crop production, particularly cotton and groundnut.”
He expressed his profound appreciation to the development partners, such as the World Bank, the Federal CARES Support Unit, and the National Fadama Coordination Office, among others, for their continued support at all times.
He called on the beneficiaries of the gesture to ensure proper utilisation of the support given to them so that the set target could be achieved.
“To those entrusted with the responsibility of distributing the 2024 fertiliser to the dry season farmers, I strongly warn you not to betray the trust bestowed on you like what happened during the wet season exercise.
“We have taken all necessary measures to ensure that any attempt to compromise or divert the product would this time be dealt with decisively.
“I advise you in your own interest to have the fear of Allah and allow the masses to enjoy the full benefit of this gesture by our government.”
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