From Daniel Abel, Lafia
Apparently piqued by frequent diversion of state government-subsidized fertilizer and other farm inputs, the state government has constituted committee comprising security agents to clamp down on any one found wanting
Governor Abdullahi Sule made this known at the occasion of the flag-off of the 2024 Sales of Fertilizer and other Farm Inputs for the Dry Season Farming in the state.
The committee is made up of the president of the Traditional Council, representative of Farmers Association, Most Senior Police Officer, representative of Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps, representative of the Department of State Service, DSS.
Governor Sule while flagging off the distribution of fertilizer and other farm inputs on Tuesday stated that the exercise is the commitment of his administration to improve agricultural production for all year round farming season in the State.
He noted that the procurement and distribution of fertilizers and other farm inputs to farmers at subsidized rates is intended to enhance the effort of teeming farmers to improve agricultural productivity and value chain addition in the State.
“It is pertinent to reiterate that Government accords priority attention to agricultural sector, being the major occupation of our people in the State.
“This is geared towards improving the livelihood of the teeming populace to ensure optimum employment, as well as achieving sustainable food security in the State and beyond.
“It is for this reason that we are gathered today to witness the flag-off of the sales of 660 metric tonnes equivalent to 13,200 bags of assorted fertilizers to our indigenous dry season farmers at the cost of N12,000.00 each.
Sule warned that anyone caught diverting the inputs for any purpose other than that for which it was intended will be dealt with irrespective of his position.
“Let me warn that those handling the fertilizer sales will be held responsible for any anomaly in the distribution of the fertilizer in their respective domain.
“Coordinators at various levels are to ensure remittance of sales to the designated bank account as any misappropriation will be met with appropriate sanctions. I should also caution individuals and groups against purchasing the commodity and selling to farmers at exorbitant rates.