Governor Umar Namadi has again warned officials against hiking the price and hoarding fertiliser in Jigawa.

Mr Namadi gave the warning on Monday during the launch of the 2023 fertiliser distribution to farmers in the state held at the Jigawa Agricultural Supply Company in Dutse.

”As a government, we have the responsibility of providing a conducive atmosphere for farmers, as 80 per cent of indigenes of the state rely on farming. Prioritisation of Agriculture is part of the 12-point agenda of our administration, which we must fulfil and synergise all stakeholders in the industry,” said the Jigawa governor.

He added, ”Let me warn that whoever is found hiking the fertiliser prices or hoards (fertilisers) will be punished.”

The governor urged farmers to buy the fertiliser at the government’s approved price of N16,000 per bag.

The chairman of the All Farmers Association in Jigawa, Idris Jaga, commended the government for subsidising fertilisers and making them available.

He said, ”A bag of fertiliser is sold at N26, 500 but our government has provided it at a subsidised rate of N16,000. So on behalf of our people, I commend the administration for its effort, and we are grateful,” Mr Jaga said.

On Friday, at an event in Government House in Dutse, Mr Namadi had warned against the diversion of fertiliser meant to be sold to farmers at subsidised rates.

The governor tasked members of the fertiliser distribution committee to supervise and monitor the sale of subsidised fertiliser to farmers across the state for the 2023 wet season farming.

The Jigawa government said it bought 120,000 bags of NPK fertiliser to be distributed among the 43 retail stores across Jigawa and sold at N16,000 per bag.

(NAN)