Delta State Government says it has secured 12,000 bags of fertilisers from the Federal Government but would distribute 9,000 bags to farmers to boost food production.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Kingsley Emu disclosed this after a meeting with leadership of farmer associations on Friday in Asaba.
Emu said that there was a resolution to keep 3,000 out of the 12,000 bags for dry season farming.
He said that the 9,000 bags would be distributed as follows; Oil Palm farmers would receive 1,490 bags; Cassava 1,100 bags; Banana and plantain 350 bags; Maize 70 bags; Yam 120 bags.
According to him, Rice will get 150 bags; Vegetables and Green House farmers, 200 bags, while Independent farmers will receive 150 bags of fertilisers.
Emu appealed to the farmers to utilise the fertilisers judiciously to improve food production in the state.
He said that the state government had a session with farmer associations last week.
“We all agreed that out of the 12,000 bags of fertilizers, we should set aside 3,000 bags for dry season farming, which is about to begin.
“So we now have 9,000 bags of fertilisers for large, medium and small-scale farm-holders.
“We are looking at the areas where we can get the mileage for quick food supply. So meeting with the association is a first step.
“There are a lot of people who are also not in the association and but we have made a good move which is 40 percent of the 9,000 bags to the association.”
He charged the association to consider areas of comparative advantage to ensure that such crops and areas get fair share to encourage increased output.
“We expect farmers to go to the warehouse to evacuate everything that belongs to them latest by Tuesday.
“The distribution is being handled by small committee, comprising the Special Adviser on Agriculture and the Director of Crops and Livestock.
“We advised the farmers to be their brother’s keepers by ensuring that the fertilizers get to the core farmers, instead of secondary markets, where they are sold,” Emu said.
