Gov Aliyu Launches Sale of ₦5.3bn Fertiliser for Wet Season Farming

By MG Gazali.

Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu, has flagged off the 2025 sales and distribution of fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and agro-allied chemicals to farmers at subsidized rates across the state. The ceremony was held in Gwadabawa Local Government.

Speaking during the ceremony, Governor Aliyu said the state government has invested ₦5.3 billion in procuring these essential commodities for the wet season farming. With a 40% discount, farmers will pay ₦28,800 for a bag of NPK fertilizer and ₦29,800 for a bag of Urea fertilizer. This initiative aims to boost agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and improve farmers' livelihoods.

"We are committed to supporting our farmers and boosting agricultural productivity in Sokoto State," Governor Aliyu said. "This initiative is a testament to our administration's dedication to the welfare of our people, particularly those in the agricultural sector. We understand the importance of agriculture in our state's economy, and we are determined to ensure that our farmers have access to the resources they need to succeed."

The governor's administration is committed to agricultural development, as evidenced by the planned rehabilitation of all irrigation sites in the state. Notably, the Kalmalo irrigation site has already been awarded for rehabilitation. "Our efforts to rehabilitate irrigation sites will significantly improve crop yields and enhance food security in the state," Governor Aliyu added.

Furthermore, the government has taken steps to improve mechanized farming by awarding a contract for the procurement of 250 Massey Ferguson tractors. "This move will boost agricultural productivity and efficiency in the state, and we are confident that our farmers will benefit greatly from this initiative," the governor said.

The governor tasked the committee responsible for the sale and distribution of the commodities to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit from the initiative. He directed security agencies to arrest and prosecute anyone found diverting the commodities. "We will not tolerate any form of diversion or hoarding of these essential commodities," he said.

In his remarks, Chairman of the State Committee for Sales of Food Items and Other Essential Commodities, Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo, said the committee has put in place a robust framework to ensure smooth sales and distribution of the items across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

The State Commissioner of Agriculture, Hon. Tukur Alkali, said the subsidized fertilizer sales demonstrate the state government's commitment to empowering farmers and promoting food security. "This initiative is a clear demonstration of the government's dedication to the agricultural sector, and we are confident that it will have a positive impact on the lives of our farmers," he said.

In a separate development, Governor Aliyu inspected the 100 housing estate being constructed in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Illela Local Government. Expressing satisfaction with the project's progress and quality, Governor Aliyu said, "We are pleased with the progress being made on this project, and we are confident that it will provide much-needed shelter for our people who have been displaced. This project is a testament to our commitment to the welfare of our people, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that they have access to basic necessities like shelter."
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