About 120,000 farmers were given 240,000 bags of fertilizer free by the Katrina State Government, Tuesday.
The efforts were taken to revitalize agriculture and enhance food security in the state.
While flagging off the distribution of the fertiliser on Gov Uba Sani said the benefiting farmers were carefully selected from Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, Kaduna Elders Forum, Nigeria Labour Congress, Religious Bodies, Security Agencies, and the Kaduna State Government by a non partisan committee.
This was even as the governor informed that 850,000 cattle, and 250,000 sheep and goats have been vaccinated as part of the State’s commitment to protect both human and animal health and ensuring a stable agricultural environment.
“I am extremely delighted to be here to flag – off the distribution of 500 trucks of fertilizer (about 15,000 metric tonnes) to farmers across Kaduna State. 240,000 bags will be distributed to 120,000 smallholder farmers for free. Today marks a significant milestone in our journey towards the revitalization of the agricultural sector and ensuring food security.
“The smallholder farmers who would benefit from this exercise were carefully selected by an all inclusive, non – partisan Committee made up of representatives of the Kaduna State Chapter of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kaduna State Council of Chiefs, Kaduna Elders Forum, Nigeria Labour Congress, Religious Bodies, Security Agencies, and the Kaduna State Government.
“This initiative clearly demonstrates our steadfast commitment to empowering our farmers and re-energizing our agricultural sector. Agriculture is not only the backbone of our state’s economy but also a vital contributor to our overall growth and development. According to our latest GDP report, agriculture contributes 42.81% to Kaduna State’s GDP and employs 42% of the total workforce.
“Our state is a significant player in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, ranking first in the production of ginger, contributing 76.4% to the national output. We also lead in maize production, contributing 7.4% of the national yield, and we rank second in soybeans production, contributing 9.4%. Additionally, we are proud of our contributions to tomato, sorghum, rice paddy, and cowpea production, where Kaduna consistently ranks among the top producers in the country. These rankings underscore our pivotal role in feeding the nation and driving agricultural productivity.
“In the 2024 Budget of Kaduna State, we allocated N22.54 billion to the agricultural sector. This allocation marks a significant increase from previous years and demonstrates our resolve to cultivate a vibrant agricultural ecosystem.
“Since taking office in May 2023, we have made remarkable progress in enhancing food security, promoting rural livelihoods, and driving economic growth across the state. Allow me to highlight some of our key achievements:
“Our Tallafin Noma (A Koma Gona) initiative, a part of our broader palliative program, targeted 42,000 small holder farmers and cooperatives across the state’s 23 LGAs. We have distributed quality seeds, agrochemicals, NPK and urea fertilizers, power tillers, vegetable grinders, and knapsack sprayers with personal protective equipment. This support aims to help farmers recover and enhance their productivity.
“To support all year-round farming, we have procured solar-powered irrigation pumps for smallholder farmers, ensuring consistent agricultural productivity even during the dry season.
“I am pleased to announce that the state government has successfully attracted the Africa Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC) project to Kaduna State. This cutting-edge facility, supported by the African Export-Import Bank (AFREXIMbank), will provide testing, certification, and inspection services for agricultural products. This initiative will position Kaduna as a hub for these essential services, benefiting Nigeria and neighboring African countries, and further enhancing our agricultural sector.
“My dear citizens of Kaduna State, recall that we experienced a significant setback in the ginger farming sector due to the outbreak of the ginger blight epidemic, which cost our farmers and state billions of Naira. In response, we distributed 12,800 units of agrochemicals and secured a N1.6 billion recovery package from the National Agricultural Development Fund to assist farmers in relaunching their livelihoods.
“We also faced a severe Fall Armyworm (FAW) infestation in maize fields across the state. In collaboration with the Institute of Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, we implemented a statewide emergency response plan and provided pesticides to all the 23 local governments of the State to combat the outbreak. Rapid response teams were deployed to address the issue swiftly.
“In the livestock sub-sector, we successfully vaccinated animals and provided pre-exposure vaccinations to various veterinary and community workers. Our avian influenza (bird flu) mitigation campaign involved decontaminating live bird markets, distributing advisory literature, and sensitizing the public to prevent the spread of the disease.
“Furthermore, we recently launched a comprehensive vaccination campaign against Anthrax and other Transboundary Animal Diseases (TADs). This campaign includes vaccinating 850,000 cattle, and 250,000 sheep and goats. This effort underscores our commitment to protecting both human and animal health and ensuring a stable agricultural environment.
“Our administration has embarked on aggressive construction of rural roads in the 23 local governments of the state. These infrastructure improvements will enhance access to markets, reduce post-harvest losses, and boost food security and economic empowerment.
“These initiatives are part of our comprehensive strategy to enhance agricultural productivity, improve rural infrastructure, and support our farmers. As we distribute these fertilizers today, I urge all farmers to use them responsibly and efficiently. We are optimistic that these measures will maximize our harvests and strengthen the food security of Kaduna State and our nation.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all partners, stakeholders, and dedicated government officials who have contributed to these efforts. Together, we are building a prosperous and resilient agricultural sector that will benefit all citizens of Kaduna State”. Governor Sani said.
