By Uthman Abubakar, Maiduguri
Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State, on Saturday, flagged off the sales of fertiliser and free input support distribution to vulnerable farmers in the state for the 2025 wet farming with a stern warning: “No fertilizer purchase by proxy.”
He also warned sternly against diverting the commodity in whatever form and for whatever other reasons.
Announcing a 50 percent subsidy on the commodity to enable majority of the vulnerable farmers, he stressed: “No farmer should send any person to purchase fertilizer for him, and no official should sell to any person sent by another person.”
Zulum categorically said the ban against proxy purchase and diversion of the commodity is to guard against terrorists purchasing the commodity to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDs), which occurred over the 15 years of the Boko Haram insurgency.
While launching the exercise at the Fertiliser Blending Company, Farm Centre in Maiduguri, Zulum, sounding passionate about vulnerable communities, announced 50 percent subsidy for all the 75 trucks to smallholder farmers, returnees in resettled communities, youth, women and the vulnerable groups across the twenty seven local government areas of the state.
“I have approved the sales of the fertilizers at a subsidized rate of 50 percent, a strategic decision to make them affordable, accessible, and impactful,” Zulum stated.
“This decision is anchored in our broader agricultural policy under the Pillar Two of the 25-Year Development Plan and 10-Year Strategic Transformation Initiative of our administration”, he said.
“The first component of this event involves the subsidized sale of both Wet Blend and Dry Blend fertilizers. The Wet Blend fertilizer, being liquid-based, is less prone to misuse and will be distributed specifically in areas experiencing heightened security threats”.
“The Dry Blend fertilizer, which is granular and more storage-friendly, will be delivered to relatively secured locations. This distinction is designed not only for agronomic purposes but also for security management, ensuring fertilizers are not diverted for unauthorized or dangerous uses,” he added.
Governor Zulum emphasized that providing farmers with the fertilizer is essential to restoring livelihoods, enhancing soil fertility, increasing yields, reducing food prices, building household food security and reducing dependency on food importation.
“Let me remind us all that agriculture remains a pillar of peace and progress. And food security is national security. This administration will stop at nothing to empower our farmers, protect our communities and rebuild our local economy through the transformative power of agriculture,” the governor remarked.
Warning against diverting the subsidized fertilizers, the governor underscored the grave security risks. “We are acutely aware that fertilizers, particularly certain components, can be exploited for illegitimate and criminal uses. This is a threat we are addressing with the seriousness it deserves,”.
“Henceforth, all fertilizers will be strictly tracked by batch, source and destination. Distribution to sensitive areas will be restricted to wet blends only. Proxy purchases are prohibited. Every recipient must be verified. Community leaders and traditional institutions are strongly tasked with overseeing and ensuring transparency in their localities.”
“Fertilizer movement shall require relevant formal clearance and all agro-dealers must be registered, vetted and monitored. In the same vain, any individual or group caught diverting, hoarding, or illegally reselling these fertilizers will face the full wrath of the law. You are hereby directed to ensure that fertilizers are strictly used for farming, nothing more, nothing less. Your collaboration is vital to our collective mission for food security and public safety,” he announced.
The governor commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and development partners for their enormous support to the state government.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Engr. Bawu Musami, expressed commitment of the state government to growing its own food, empowering its own people, and rebuilding its economy through agriculture, noting that the support provided to 12,000 farmers have produced yields of over N3 billion in Baga and Monguno alone.
“Over 12,000 smallholder farmers, resettled households, women and youth received improved cowpea seeds, agrochemicals and a token for agronomical practices from the State Government, The results were exceptional. Cowpea Farmers in this two settlements produced an output valued at over ₦3.1 billion despite early cessation of rainfall,” Bawu declared.
Engr. Bawu called for the reactivation of the Fertilizer plant and institutionalize a dedicated Agricultural Development Trust Fund to further boost agricultural activities in the state.
