Bauchi State government has expressed concerns over the scarcity of fertiliser being experienced by farmers during the rainy season.
In response to the development, the state government has reached an agreement with OCP Africa, a Morocco-based agricultural support organisation, for the immediate delivery of 50 trucks of fertiliser to the state for distribution to farmers.
The commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Iliyasu Gital, in an interaction with journalists yesterday, attributed the scarcity of the commodity the attitudes of some unscrupulous civil servants who made it impossible for the government to get the required quantity of raw materials to produce enough fertiliser for the farmers.
He said, “Additionally, the wholesale price in the markets is not only skyrocketed in Bauchi, if you go to Kano today, it is N65,000 per 50kg bag, it is also a similar phenomenon in Jos and Gombe”.
“The raw materials that is supposed to be used for the production of the fertiliser is not in the country, up to now they were saying that ships have arrived at the port, but have not started transporting to our shores to utilise the raw materials for the production,” he added.
Dr. Gital explained that the state government has taken a review of the situation with a view to make the commodity readily available to farmers, saying, “As I’m talking to you now, some raw materials no matter how costly, they were today on their way to Bauchi and would continue to come for the production”.
The commissioner disclosed that already Bauchi has stated receiving 50 trucks of fertiliser for a start following a negotiations between the State Government and OPC Africa which the government would continue to subsidize at the rate of N20, 000 for a bag of 50kg.
Gital further explained that Governor Bala Mohammed is concerned about the situation than himself, “The Governor is seriously concern that the issue is threatening the lives of farmers and the people generally”.
In another development, the Bauchi State Government has constituted a committee to investigate the management of funds allocated for fertilizer production in the 2025 rainy farming season.
Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, while inaugurating the committee at the Government House, Bauchi charged members to examine all issues surrounding the state-owned Fertilizer Blending Plant.
The committee is mandated to recover any misappropriated or unaccounted-for funds, recommend measures to prevent future lapses, and submit its report within two weeks.
Chaired by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Rural Development, Faruk Mustapha, the committee includes Head of Civil Service, Barr. Sani Umar; state Accountant General, Sirajo Muhammad Jaja; Auditor General, Ishyaku Yankari; Chairman, Bauchi State Internal Revenue Service, Alhaji Mu’azu Usman and Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Iliyasu Aliyu Gital while permanent secretary, Office of the SSG, who will serve as secretary.
