Gov Ortom launches distribution of fertiliser

Gov Samuel Ortom of Benue said on Monday that his administration has created the enabling environment for agricultural activities to thrive in the state.

Ortom disclosed this in Makurdi while launching the sale and distribution of 7,500 metric tons of fertilizer to farmers in the state.

He said that instead of farmers to buy a bag of NPK fertiliser at N5,500 they would now buy at N4,000 and the government would make up for the balance of N1,500

He further said that as for Uria, which was sold for N9,500, farmers would buy at N4,000 and the government would make up the balance of N4,500.

The governor said that the state government had also procured 5,000 litres of liquid fertiliser also to be distributed to farmers at subsidised rate.

He urged farmers to ensure that they make judicious use of the products in order to have greater yields.

He said that it was the desire of the state government to aid farmers in the state in order to sustain its ‘Food Basket of the Nation’ status and boost food sufficiency.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr James Anbua, said that all farmers required the product for enhanced yields.

Anbua urged farmers to put in their best because the survival of the nation depends on them.

He appreciated Gov Ortom for paying the full payment of counterpart fund for International Food for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and FADAMA III Financing.
He explained that before the governor came into office donor agencies had left the state because the government was no longer paying counterpart funds.

He also informed farmers that the ministry had procured pesticides against the armyworm, adding that farmers could call the ministry anytime for the pesticides.

The Benue Assembly Committee Chairman on Agriculture, Mr James Gbande, called on farmers to take advantage of the farm inputs in order to enhance agricultural production in the state.

The Sole Administrator, Makurdi Local Government Council, Mr Luke Aho, appreciated the governor for assenting to the Anti-Open Grazing bill, stressing that the assent had put smiles on the faces of farmers and the good people of the state.

“I wish to commend governor for making agricultural sector one of the major cardinal objectives of your noble administration,” he said.

The Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Aondona Kuhe, commended the governor for launching the sales and distribution of fertiliser as well as other farm inputs at the right time.