Rural farmers seek distribution of fertiliser by Nasarawa Govt


Some farmers in Nasarawa State on Monday called for the distribution of fertiliser by the State Government to boost food production and achieve national food insecurity.

They made the appeal in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

They alerted that late or delayed distribution of fertiliser and farm inputs would not only hinder boost food production, but also prevent the realisation of the national food security.

Mr Ibrahim Osada, a farmer in Keffi, said: “Most farmers in the state are poor; we cannot afford to buy fertiliser at the market price, the state government should always have it at the back of its mind that providing fertiliser on time to farmers will ensure bumper harvest.’’

He said that the importance of early distribution of the commodity and other farm inputs to the farmers by government can spur food production.

“As we are all aware that no society can live comfortably or survive without agriculture; agriculture is the major source of livelihood of every family, nation and its importance cannot be overemphasised to the development of any society.

“We are now in June and the Nasarawa State Government is yet to distribute fertiliser to farmers and this may affect agricultural production and chances of the farmer for a bumper harvest.

“Let us be sincere to ourselves, if government want to boost agricultural production, it is supposed to distribute fertiliser and other farm inputs early and everybody is aware that late distribution of fertiliser will affect food production.

“It is in view of this that, I want to use this medium to remind the state government to know that early distribution of fertiliser to farmers is more advantageous than late distribution of fertiliser,” he said.

Osada also called on the state government to provide fertiliser at affordable prices to reduce the plight of farmers for the overall development of the country.

Another farmer, Mr Emmanuel Jacob, also decried the late distribution of fertiliser as it would affect the production and called on the government to ensure early distribution of the fertiliser to boost food production and socio-economic development in the state.

“If it is true that the government want to create job and fight poverty through agriculture, it is supposed to take adequate steps by ensuring early distribution of fertiliser and other farm inputs to farmers to boost food production,’’ he said.

Jacob said that timely distribution of fertiliser to the farmers would not only boost food production but will also improve on the revenue base of the state government and the country at large.

On his part, Mr Haruna Tafa, appealed to the state government to always ensure early and timely distribution of fertiliser and other farm inputs to boost food production as well as fight poverty and improve standard of living of its citizens.

Tafa also urged the state government to provide fertiliser and other farm inputs to boost food sufficiency, revenue and provide employment in the state and the country at large.



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