From Mohammed Nasir Shuaibu BAUCHI
Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has officially launched the 2025 farming season, where he unveiled a range of innovative agricultural initiatives aimed at boosting food security, empowering farmers, and positioning Bauchi state as a major food producer in Nigeria.
The launch ceremony, held in Gajin Duguri, Alkaleri Local Government Area, was attended by dignitaries from within and outside the state, including traditional rulers, government officials, farmers’ associations, and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector.
Speaking, Governor Mohammed reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming the agricultural sector as a driver of economic growth and rural development.
He announced the commencement of subsidized fertilizer sales, fixing the price of NPK 20:10:10 at N20,000 per bag to ensure affordability for farmers. The state has produced adequate quantities through the Bauchi State Fertilizer Blending Plant to meet demand across the state.
As part of the drive toward mechanized agriculture, Mohammed, however, revealed plans to distribute tractors to all 20 local government areas, enhancing productivity and easing the burden on rural farmers.
Governor Mohammed disclosed that 1,000 young people recently trained in various agricultural skills would receive financial support to start their farming ventures even as he approved two days of farming leave per week for civil servants on Grade Level 12 and below, all in a move to encourage broader participation in agriculture.
This, Mohammed has said, was designed to encourage civil servantsto engage in farming and support the administration’s goal of making Bauchi a food basket of the nation.
Governor Mohammed warned against the diversion of fertilizers meant for farmers, emphasizing the need for accountability and fair distribution. He stressed that all support must reach the intended beneficiaries to ensure the success of the agricultural programmes.
The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Bauchi State, Yusuf Sambo, commended the governor’s commitment to agriculture and assured of the association’s support. The Commissioner for Agriculture, represented by the Commissioner of Livestock Development, also reiterated the administration’s dedication to providing farming inputs since 2019.
In a vote of thanks on behalf of the traditional institution, the Emir of Dass, Alhaji Usman Bilyaminu Othman, pledged continued royal support for the state’s agricultural revolution.
