The federal government has distributed assorted fertilisers and inputs to 3,000 wheat farmers to accelerate paddy production in Bauchi State.

The federal government distributed the commodities to the farmers at 50 per cent subsidy under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and ARO POCKET (NAGS – AP).

The programme is designed to enhance farmer access to fertilisers and inputs, encourage productivity and value addition to wheat, rice, maize, cassava, among other crops.

Sadiq Tijjani-Kida, the agro dealer in charge of the Bauchi Redemption Centre, said this at the closing of the distribution exercise on Thursday in Bauchi.

He said that 1,400 farmers redeemed their fertilisers and inputs at the centre in spite of technical glitches.

Mr Tijjani-Kida said that 1,600 other beneficiaries of the scheme redeemed their inputs at Azare, Misau and Jama’are centres in the state.

He said that each of the benefitting farmers received seven bags of NPK and three bags of Urea brand of fertilisers, two bags of variety of seeds, four units of chemicals and a litre of organic fertiliser.

“Each of the farmers is expected to cultivate one hectare of wheat plantation this dry season,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Zuwaira Ibrahim, lauded the gesture, adding it would encourage her to produce more.

Another farmer, Maigari Muhammad, said the gesture would enable them to reduce the cost of production.

Mr Muhammad, therefore, urged the government to expand the scope of the programme to mobilise participation in crop production toward achieving food security in the country. 

(NAN)