Adamawa approves N2.2 billion to procure fertiliser for dry-season farming

The Adamawa State Government has allocated N2.2 billion for purchasing fertilizers to support dry-season farming throughout the region. This decision was made during the 13th State Executive Council meeting chaired by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri in Yola, as reported by NAN. Commissioned for Information and Strategy, Mr. Leneke disclosed the approval, which is part of a larger N5 billion bundle of contracts and purchases approved by the council for various development projects and interventions across the state.

The funding aims to assist farmers and maintain agricultural output by enabling them to utilize both the rainy and dry seasons. Additionally, N78.952 million was approved for herbicides and pesticides to bolster agricultural activities across the state. These agricultural supports are intended to provide farmers with essential inputs and help sustain crop production beyond the rainy season.

This fertilizer allocation represents one of several contracts and initiatives approved at the meeting, encompassing education, infrastructure, security, and other sectors. The Hong project, which includes N627.696 million for infrastructure development at a secondary school, is part of the state's strategy to establish Mega Science and Technical Secondary Schools in all three senatorial districts.

Leneke advised residents in affected areas to stay vigilant and relocate to safer locations if needed, as well as to report unfamiliar individuals and suspected criminals to assist security agencies. This state-level action aligns with broader federal initiatives to improve fertilizer availability and bolster agricultural production nationwide.

President Bola Tinubu announced in June that the federal government plans to deliver a 1.1 million metric tonne fertiliser programme to farmers by 2026, having secured over 449,000 metric tonnes of inputs by May 2026, including 10 vessels already dispatched or en route. Both the federal government's fertiliser programme and Adamawa's recent approval illustrate efforts to equip farmers with necessary inputs to maintain agricultural output.

Nigeria currently possesses an estimated annual fertiliser production capacity of around 16 million metric tonnes, compared to domestic consumption of about 2 million metric tonnes annually. Production capacity is anticipated to rise further as private-sector investments expand.