Gombe Farmers Demand Distribution of Federal Fertilizer Donation
Concerns Over Non-Distribution of Fertilizer in Gombe State
Gombe Farmers Urge State Government to Distribute Free Fertilizer
BY SHEKWOPEYELO
Farmers in Gombe State have expressed concern over the non-distribution of 2,000 tonnes of fertilizer donated by the federal government, which they claim has not reached them. Governor Inuwa Yahaya recently announced that the fertilizer would be distributed to farmers free of charge, but many farmers say they have not received it.
Ayuba Ali, a farmer from Billiri local government, stated that the fertilizer would have helped peasant farmers increase food production and improve their income if it had been distributed. Umar Hamisu, a sorghum and wheat farmer from Nafada local government, lamented the challenges of the 2024 season, as he could not afford necessary farming inputs due to economic difficulties and inflation.
Esther Bitrus, a rice and maize farmer from Dadin Kowa, reported that fertilizer was sold to farmers at N25,000, and she had neither received the federal donation nor heard of anyone who had. Sarah Yakubu, another farmer, emphasized that Gombe farmers deserved the same free fertilizer distribution as farmers in other states like Kano and Nasarawa.
In response, Dr. Barnabas Malle, the commissioner of agriculture, clarified that the federal government’s fertilizer had been distributed through cooperative societies and was monitored by security agents. He also clarified that the fertilizer sold to farmers at N22,000 per bag was purchased by the state government, not part of the federal donation.
Farmers are now calling on the state government to ensure the distribution of the free fertilizer to support dry-season farming and improve agricultural productivity across Gombe.
