By Chinyere Anyanwu
The Gombe State government has stated that it is set to boost agricultural productivity in the state with a major intervention aimed at supporting the farming population in the 2025 wet farming season.
This was revealed by the state Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, while launching the sale and distribution of subsidised fertiliser for this year’s wet farming season at the weekend.
Governor Yahaya, who said that fertiliser supply has been boosted by 150 per cent for the 2025 wet season farming in the state vowed to ensure transparent distribution, warning against diversion of the product.
He announced the procurement of 10,000 tonnes of the input to be sold to farmers at a subsidised rate, in a major step aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity in the state.
He said the quantity represents over twice the volume distributed during the 2024 wet season farming, which he said is part of a sustained effort to scale up support for farmers and reinforce the position of Gombe in Nigeria’s food security drive.
The governor also stressed that the intervention is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, which recognises agriculture as a vital pillar for inclusive economic development.
He noted that over 80 per cent of the population in Gombe State are engaged in farming, and that over the past six years, his government has consistently subsidised farm inputs to support farmers.
“For the 2025 wet farming season, we have procured 10,000 metric tonnes (200,000 bags) of NPK 20:10:10 fertiliser at the cost of N44,000 per bag but will be sold to farmers at a subsidised rate of N27,000. This gesture underscores our commitment to making agriculture affordable, accessible and productive,” the governor announced. “As we are all aware, timely access to agricultural inputs is crucial to enhancing agricultural productivity. In this regard, today’s flag-off of the sale of fertilisers to the farmers testifies to our commitment to ensuring timely and affordable access to agricultural inputs for farmers,” he added.
Governor Yahaya pointed out several initiatives undertaken to revamp the agricultural landscape in Gombe State which include strategic partnerships with the Federal Government, the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) through various projects such as the Sasakawa Africa Association, NG-CARES, L-PRES, RAAMP, and ACReSAL– all of which have improved productivity and enhanced food security.
He also cited the ongoing Agro-Livestock Development Zone project comprising an international livestock and grains market, commercial abattoir, and an inland dry port, along with the Muhammadu Buhari Industrial Park, where Premier Seeds Nigeria Limited has commenced operations with a seed-processing facility as part of ongoing efforts to actualising his administration’s desire of positioning Gombe as regional centre of agro-based commerce in the North-east subregion.
The governor directed the Ministry of Agriculture, security agencies, and civil society organisations to monitor the distribution process and ensure the fertiliser reaches the intended beneficiaries up to unit level.
“I would like to assure you that we shall ensure that the fertiliser reaches the grassroots by strengthening the fertiliser sales monitoring system.
“I have directed the Ministry of Agriculture, security agencies and civil society organisations to closely monitor the sales and distribution to the farmers so as to prevent diversion and ensure that the fertiliser reaches the correct beneficiaries ” the governor stated.
He urged farmers to make good use of the input and to remain vigilant against natural hazards by adhering to weather advisories.
Governor Inuwa also called for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, emphasising the need to respect grazing reserves and farmlands, while reiterating his administration’s support for the Farmers/Herders Prevention and Settlement of Disputes Committees and security agencies to prevent conflict and maintain peace across the state.
However, the governor has again warned traditional rulers against involvement in cases of encroachment on cattle routes and grazing reserves, which is fueling the crisis between farmers and herders in the state, vowing that anyone found culpable in the reports of the Farmers/Herders Prevention and Dispute Settlement Committees will face stringent punishment based on the recommendations of the committees.
In a goodwill message, the Acting State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Absalom Lansibol, commended Governor Yahaya for his vision and commitment to agricultural growth.
“The governor’s steadfast commitment to agricultural transformation in Gombe is inspiring. Today marks another milestone in our effort to secure livelihoods and ensure food security. I encourage continued collaboration for the success of this fertiliser distribution exercise.”
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s support to the initiatives of Governor Yahaya in the agricultural sector, urging all stakeholders to align with the transformative vision for national agricultural prosperity.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas Malle, expressed gratitude to the governor for sustaining his support to farmers despite economic challenges, stating that the governor’s resilience has made it possible for the government to procure farm inputs and distribute same to farmers at a lower rate at a time when many doubted it could happen.