The Sokoto State Government has commenced the distribution of N4.7 billion fertiliser to boost farming activities across the 23 local government areas in the state.
Governor Ahmed Aliyu who announced the donation also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and urged Sokoto people to make the best use of it to ensure food security in the state.
Aliyu also applauded President Tinubu for donating 60 trucks of fertiliser to the state to boost agricultural activities in this year’s farming season.
The governor said plans were on the way to revive all irrigation sites in the state and disclosed a proposal to expend N10 billion on the rehabilitation of Lugu Dam in the Wurno local government area to boost rice production in the state.
He however stated that the fertiliser inputs are from the Presidency, the Fadama NG- CARES Programme in collaboration with Sokoto State Government.
Speaking at the distribution in Dange town, headquarters of Dange Shuni local government, Governor Aliyu said the essence was to improve agricultural output in the state during the 2024 cropping seasons and, by implication, create job opportunities for the teeming youths, especially at the grassroots.
“The state will receive 10 trucks of fertiliser, 7 trucks would be released instantly for wet season farming while the remaining 3 trucks would subsequently be issued for the dry season farming respectively.
“A total of 195 Farmers Community Associations (FCAs) consisting of 16,967 farmers across the 23 local government areas of the state were to benefit from the distribution of this year procured fertiliser free of charge under the state Fadama N-CARES programme.
“Also, a total of 45,366 bags of NPK, 24,264 bags of Urea, 20,664 litres of Agro chemicals and 20,000kg of rice each, Sorghum and Millet seeds would be distributed to farmers across the state,” the governor added.