The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has handed over 155,020 liters of liquid gel fertilizer to the Jigawa State government for distribution to farmers affected by the 2018 flood disaster.
Hajiya Zaubaida Umar, the Director-General (DG) of NEMA, made the announcement during the handover ceremony in Dutse on Wednesday.
Umar, who was represented by Sani Jiba, the Director Finance NEMA Headquarters Abuja explained that the liquid fertilizer was provided as a substitute for the remaining balance of NPK fertilizer approved for the state under the National Food Security Council-Emergency Agricultural Intervention (NFSC-EAI) program for farmers impacted by the 2018 floods.
In his address, the DG’s representative stated:
“His Excellency may wish to note that NEMA began distributing NPK fertilizer to affected farmers in Jigawa State in 2020. However, this process was interrupted due to regulatory changes by the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, which resulted in the termination of the contract between NEMA and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority for the supply of NPK fertilizer.”
He further explained that, following the contract’s termination, and based on recommendations from the Office of the National Security Adviser, the agency sought approval to replace granular fertilizer with liquid gel fertilizer.
The DG added that one liter of the liquid fertilizer is equivalent to 50kg of NPK 20-10-10 fertilizer.
“It is my pleasure to confirm that as of today, the supply of 155,020 liters of liquid gel fertilizer for Jigawa State has been completed, and I am here to officially hand over this consignment to the Jigawa State government for distribution to the affected farmers for use in the current planting season,”.
The DG also commended Governor Umar Namadi for his efforts in promoting agricultural development and food security in the state. She requested the governor’s support in ensuring the fertilizer is distributed promptly to the intended beneficiaries.
In response, Governor Namadi, represented by his deputy, Eng. Aminu Usman, expressed gratitude to NEMA and the federal government for their assistance. He assured that the fertilizer would be distributed to the remaining affected farmers in the Auyo, Kafinhausa, and Miga local government areas.
He urged the beneficiaries to use the fertilizer wisely to boost food production and contribute to food security in their communities, the state, and the nation at large.
