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July 30, (THEWILL) — Governor Ahmad Aliyu of Sokoto State has launched the sale of subsidised fertiliser and agro-chemicals for the 2025 cropping season, as part of efforts to boost agricultural productivity across the state.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the governor said the inputs were jointly procured by the state government and the 23 local government councils to support farmers and enhance food security.
He disclosed that a total of 105,800 bags of assorted fertiliser—including NPK 20:10:10 and Urea were acquired at a cost of ₦5.3bn.
These will be sold at a 40 per cent subsidised rate, with NPK 20:10:10 available at ₦28,800 per bag and Urea (Indorama) at ₦29,800 per bag.
To further support farmers, Governor Aliyu said the government also purchased 12,800 bags of improved seeds, including Millet Super Sosat, Maize Hybrid, Cowpea, Sorghum, and Rice Faro 44—at a total cost of ₦60m.
In addition, 340 cartons of herbicides such as Force-Up, Bush Clear, and Glycofor were procured for ₦16.6m, while insecticides like Rip Clear, Farm Super, and knapsack sprayers were acquired for ₦20.05m.
“In our commitment to achieving food security, we have awarded a contract for the procurement of 250 units of MF-375 Massey Ferguson tractors, valued at ₦22.1bn,” the governor announced.
He added that the state government also plans to provide tiller machines for smallholder farmers to expand mechanised farming at the grassroots.
Governor Aliyu reiterated his administration’s commitment to reviving irrigation systems, revealing that contracts had been awarded for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Lugu Dam and the Kware irrigation facility to ensure year-round farming.
He urged farmers to utilise the inputs responsibly and warned against diversion or hoarding. He also directed security agencies to monitor the distribution process and arrest any individual found guilty of sabotaging the programme.
Explaining the rationale behind subsidising rather than distributing the inputs for free, Aliyu said, “In the past, free distribution was grossly abused by unpatriotic individuals who denied genuine farmers access. This prompted our decision to introduce a subsidised system to ensure that only real farmers benefit.”
Other dignitaries who spoke at the event included the former Deputy Governor and Chairman of the Committee on Sale of Subsidised Commodities, Chiso Abdullahi Dattijo; Chairman of Kware LGA, Ibrahim Sakamaru; Commissioner for Agriculture, Muhammad Tukur Alkali; and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ibrahim Dadi Adare. The Sultan of Sokoto was represented by Dr. Jabbi Kilgori.
The occasion was also attended by the APC leader in the state, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, and the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Tukur Bala Bodinga.
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Tunde Omolehin, THEWILL
Tunde Omolehin is an award-winning Journalist with prose in investigative and storytelling that is connecting the dots between the under-reported communities and policymakers to ensure good governance and accountability.
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