By Aloysius Umalo, Makurdi
16,169 Litres of Liquid Gel Fertilizer Approved for Farmers Affected by 2018 Conflict in Benue State
The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Zubaida Umar, on Thursday, October 3rd, 2024, officially handed over a total of 16,169 Litres of Liquid Gel Fertilizer to farmers affected by the 2018 conflicts in Benue State.
The distribution is part of the National Food Security Council's Emergency Agricultural Intervention for states impacted by the conflict.
Represented by the Zonal Director of NEMA, Jos, Mr. Bashir Garga, the NEMA DG said the Liquid Gel Fertilizer serves as a replacement for the NPK fertilizer originally approved for Benue State under the intervention program in 2018.
According to NEMA, the distribution of the NPK fertilizer in 2020 was halted due to changes in regulations by the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, leading to the decision to switch to Liquid Gel Fertilizer based on recommendations from the Office of the National Security Adviser.
Each Litre of the Liquid Gel Fertilizer is equivalent to 50Kg of NPK 20-10-10 fertilizer, and the procurement process began in 2022 and was completed in February 2024 after approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The aim is to ensure that farmers receive the necessary fertilizer before the expiration of the current cropping season.
The handover of the Liquid Gel Fertilizer to the Benue State Government is therefore intended for onward distribution to beneficiary farmers.
The DG of NEMA expressed gratitude to the Governor of Benue State for his efforts towards agricultural empowerment and food security, urging timely distribution to the intended recipients.
The liquid gel fertilizer, sourced from certified suppliers, was handed over to the state government for distribution to affected farmers.
Governor Hyacinth Alia who was represented at the occasion by his Personal Private Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Chenge expressed gratitude to NEMA and President Bola Tinubu for their continued support to the people of Benue.
He emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency in food production and urged farmers to utilize the fertilizer for maximum output.
Benue State Commissioner for Agriculture, Professor Moses Ogbaji lauded the donation, highlighting the positive impact it would have on improving agricultural produce in the state.
He called for continued support from the federal government to sustain the progress being made in the agricultural sector.
