Over 3,000 wheat farmers in Bauchi have received agricultural inputs

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has helped 3,000 farmers in the Bauchi region with essential farming supplies. 

These include fertilizers, seeds, insecticides, and pesticides for cultivating wheat on 1,400 hectares of land during the federal government’s initiative for dry season wheat farming.

The primary goal of this initiative is to decrease the reliance on imported grains and enhance local production in Nigeria.

The intervention encompasses providing agricultural inputs like 10 bags of fertilizer (3 Urea – 7NPK), wheat seedlings (1 bag foreign and 1 bag local), pesticides, and insecticides.

Farmers can access these inputs by making a 50% down payment of the total cost, which amounts to N160,000.

Under the National Wheat Production Programme by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (NAGS-AP), Bauchi State has been allocated 3,000 hectares of land.

Specifically, Jama’are, Azare, and Misau each received 600, 500, and 500 hectares respectively.

During the closing ceremony of the distribution of farming tools to wheat farmers in Bauchi, the managing director of K.T. Doma Investment Ltd, Honourable Sadiq Tijjani Kida, explained the distribution centers in the state – Bauchi (Toro, Tafawa Balewa, Dass, Bogoro, Kirfi, Alkaleri, Bauchi, and Ganjuwa local councils), and Azare, Misau, Ningi.

For the 2023/2024 wheat farming season in Bauchi zone, 3,000 hectares have been allocated to farmers.

In Bauchi center, 1,400 farmers were selected, along with 600 in Azare center, 500 in Misau, and 500 in Ningi.

Honourable Sadiq mentioned that the inputs have been distributed since November 15th, and the process concluded recently.

He emphasized that farmers are expected to have planted between November 15th and December 15th for a plentiful harvest. The program aims to lessen dependence on imported wheat.

One beneficiary, Abubakar Suleiman, expressed gratitude for the government’s support, vowing to start farming immediately.

Zuwaira Ibrahim, another beneficiary, thanked the federal government for the intervention, foreseeing economic improvement and enhanced food security.

“I am immensely grateful for the agricultural inputs. This gesture will not only improve my economic status but also contribute to the availability of food supplies,” said Zuwaira Ibrahim.

Maigari Mohammed, another beneficiary, appreciated the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, urging for the extension of such support to more farmers in the state.