At least 286,000 farmers in Borno state registered under the Gross Enhancement Scheme, GES, in 2012 and 2013 are to receive federal government subsidised fertilizer this year.

Speaking during the flag-off of the scheme in the state on Sunday in Maiduguri, the minister of state for agriculture, Bukar Tijjani, who was represented by Kale Bukar, the federal director of agriculture in charge of Yobe State said 800 trucks of NPK fertiliser and urea subsidised at 25 % have been allocated to the state.

Each of the bags of fertiliser would now be sold at N3, 850 instead of N4, 500.

“Additionally, each farmer will be entitled to a free 20kg bag of highly improved maize or rice seed after purchasing the fertiliser,” the minister added.

About 5,000 of the 286, 000 benefitting registered farmers are female beneficiaries.

He explained that two agro dealers Madalla Global Concept and Al Iman Agro Ventures had been appointed to take charge of the fertiliser sales in the state.

While Madalla Global Concept will handle the sales of the fertiliser to farmers in the southern senatorial zone, Al Amin Agro Ventures will handle the sales to farmers in the central zone and both dealers will share the sales of fertilizer to farmers in the northern zone.

Tijjani said the measure is to bridge the gap created by the absence of GSM network in the state.

Chairman of the Madalla Global Concept, Ado Adamu, disclosed that redemption centres had also been created across the state to ensure that all the targeted farmers are reached.

“We have created redemption centres across the state for easy access to farmers. For example farmers in Shani and Hawul Local Government Area (LGA) will redeem their stock in Azareheadquarters of Hawul LGA, while farmers in Bayo, Biu and Kwaya Kusar will get their supply in Biu,” he said.

Farmers in Damboa, Chibok and Askira-Uba LGAs will get their supply in Rumugo
town in Askira-Uba, while those in all LGAs in Northern and Central Zones will get their supply in redemption centres in Maiduguri.