Ortom flags off 2016 fertilizer sale
Governor Samuel Ortom has warned against the diversion and arbitrary increase of fertilizer or any attempt to frustrate Benue farmers to harvest better yields this cropping season.
Governor Ortom dropped the warning, on Wednesday, at Tse- Ukegber, Guma Local Government Area, while flagging-off the 2016 fertiliser sale and distribution.
He said the decision of the state government to provide the fertiliser and other farm inputs at the right time was to enable Benue farmers to maintain the state’s position as the “Food Basket of the Nation”.
“To attain lofty goals in the agricultural sector, all stakeholders must play their critical roles. Our administration will leave no stone unturned in our drive to make the sector vibrant in order to boost the state’s economy”, he stated.
He noted that the state government had paid its counterpart funds’ requirements for the implementation of the IFAD-Benue State Assisted Rice and Cassava Value Chain Development Programme. It is on record that 3000 farmers are already participating in the programme, with Off-takers’ arrangement to buy farmers’ harvest at very good prices.
He added that his administration had also paid the entire counterpart funds required for the FADAMA III additional financing saying if fully implemented the programme would impact on not less than 5000 farmers of the State in improving their production capacity, income levels as well as their livelihood.
