Benue State Government has distributed over 180 trucks of assorted fertilizer to farmers at a subsidised rate.
The Director General Bureau for Agricultural Development and Mechanization, Engr. Terese Ninga told newsmen on Wednesday that each of the 23 local government areas in the state has received at least two trucks.
Ninga, who said farming is a capital-intensive venture, added that farmers needed all the support they could get from the government.
He said that the government would ensure that only genuine farmers have access to the fertilizer and farm inputs being distributed by the State Government
He stated that some trucks of fertilizer are being sold at the Bureau headquarters in Makurdi.
The DG noted that it was the first time since 1982 that the government was providing fertilizer and farm inputs to farmers at subsidized rates in May, adding that a bag of fertilizer with landing cost goes for N17,500.
He said the State Government was supporting farmers to ensure that prices of food items in the state were affordable
The DG reiterated the governor’s efforts to boost food production and enhance food security in the state and beyond.
Ninga explained that the Bureau which is a merger of Benue State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (BNARDA) and Benue State Tractor Hiring Authority (BENTA) would have about 104 agricultural extension workers by the end of the cropping season.
He said, “From the beginning when I came here we have only five extension staff and now because of retirement we have three. For over 25 years the State Government did not hire any single extension worker.
“50 extension workers are coming on board and those who are here on a casual basis would be regularised. We are hoping that by the end of this cropping season, we will have about 104 extension workers.”
The DG explained that the state government through the Bureau had commenced registration of all farmers across the state to ascertain their exact number.
He said the registration also included “who they were, where they were staying and what type of crops they were farming so that the government could provide support services to them.
He said there were plans in place to take care of the post-harvest losses in the state.
Ninga added that they have resolved to implement the vision of the Governor in the sector by restoring what agriculture used to be in Benue State through the Agricultural revolution.
He appealed to those who paid for farm inputs but yet to receive them to be patient as they would soon receive their inputs.
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