The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security has praised the distribution of subsidized agricultural inputs to farmers in Jigawa State.
Represented by the Jigawa State Coordinator, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Engr. Sale Salisu, the minister expressed his delight with the initiative.
During an inspection tour of the ongoing distribution at designated farmers’ centers in Miga and Dutse, Salisu, on behalf of the minister, stated that the program aims to boost wheat production across the country and reduce dependence on imported wheat.
“The government’s ongoing intervention is also expected to lower the cost of wheat production for farmers,” Salisu said, adding, “The program is anticipated to contribute to the country’s food security and reduce reliance on imported wheat. The distribution, part of the Federal Government’s special program on wheat production, is intended to enhance wheat production in the state.”
Salisu explained that the government provided the inputs at a 75 percent subsidy, with farmers covering the remaining 25 percent. He noted that approximately 80,000 farmers in Jigawa are targeted to benefit from the program. “Each farmer will receive four bags of fertilizer and one 50kg bag of wheat seeds at a cost of N160,000, representing 25 percent of the total package,” he highlighted.
The farmers are expected to cultivate 3,000 hectares of farmland in 12 special clusters across the state. Salisu noted that each farmer is expected to cultivate about a hectare or more in the designated areas.
Several beneficiaries expressed their gratitude to the government for the support. Garba Nalami, a farmer from Tsakuwawa, Miga Local Government Area, said, “The high cost of inputs and transportation has compelled many farmers to reduce the number of hectares they cultivated, but with this support, the situation will change.”
Yakubu Dayyabu, a farmer from Dutse Local Government Area, mentioned that he used to cultivate five hectares but had reduced it to two hectares due to economic challenges. He praised the government for the subsidy, saying it would help him increase his farm size.
Another beneficiary, Abubakar Sulaiman from Miga Local Government Area, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the subsidy would allow him to purchase inputs at a lower cost and boost his wheat production.
