Bauchi State governor Bala Muhammed has launched the 2024 rainfed agricultural season and sold fertiliser and other farm implements to support farmers in the state. He said the price of fertiliser would be subsidised to N20,000 per bag of NPK.
During the flagging-off ceremony in Dass, the governor said that the state government has committed over N300 million to the state’s new advanced mechanised agricultural project.
Governor Mohammed said the new agricultural initiative would involve unbundling virgin land for economic development, providing over N50,000,000 worth of chemicals and agricultural, heavy-duty machinery, and distributing 20 motorcycles to implement suppliers.
He also commended the ACRESAL project, a flagship agricultural programme in the state, and announced plans to implement a robust mechanised agriculture system.
The governor announced that Bauchi State has become the first state in the country to access a World Bank loan. The loan will be used to establish livestock development centres across the state. This move is expected to revolutionise the livestock industry in the state and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
He revealed that the state government would establish agricultural processing centres to reduce post-harvest losses and enhance the value of farm products. This move is expected to improve farmers’ income and reduce food waste in the state.
Governor Mohammed said the fertiliser price would be subsidised to N20,000 per bag of NPK, making it more affordable for farmers in the state.
The governor warned against the incompetent use of the tractors provided under the programme and announced that a tracker would be installed on each tractor to prevent them from being taken outside the state. He emphasised the importance of properly utilising the resources to ensure the programme’s success.
