The Katsina State Government has recounted its investments in agriculture and livestock development, describing the effort as part of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s commitment to promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability in the management of public funds.
During the 4th edition of the monthly press briefing focusing on Agriculture and Livestock Development for the month of February, Deputy Governor Malam Faruk Lawal Jobe outlined the administration’s achievements in these critical sectors.
“Recognizing the crucial role of agriculture in food security, employment generation, and poverty alleviation, as well as the significance of water resources in promoting agricultural productivity and improving livelihoods, this administration has prioritized these sectors,” stated Deputy Governor Jobe.
The Deputy Governor revealed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has “incurred huge expenditure amounting to N36,040,981,760.00 for the procurement of 20,000 metric tons of fertilizer for 2024 farming season, 722 motorcycles and knapsack sprayers for use of 722 extension workers deployed to serve in 361 wards across the State to ensure effective monitoring.”
He further explained, “the sum of N21,765,381,078.00 was also expended for the procurement of 400 tractors with full accessories, 2,000 hand planters and 10 combine harvesters. This is with a view to providing our farmers with required agricultural implements to boost food production in the State.”
In addition to these investments, Deputy Governor Jobe noted, “the sum of N790,558,800.00 has been expended for the upgrade of 7 Zonal produce stores in Funtua, Daura, Katsina, Mani, Kankia, Kafinsoli, Malumfashi and the resuscitation of Songhai Farm Centre at Makera in Dutsin-Ma Local Government as well as the Cotton Value Chain for all year round farming to provide employment and economic viability of our people.”
The Ministry has also distributed newly introduced liquid fertilizer to enhance better yield and ensured the completion of Katsina Sustainable Platform for Agriculture (KASPA) Project at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Regarding the State Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KTARDA), the Deputy Governor stated that “Government has spent the sum of N273,604,600.00 to carry out numerous activities for the development of agriculture.” These include the purchase and distribution of 40 motorcycles for monitoring activities and the distribution of agrochemicals for pest control to farmers.
“In order to utilize the services of the earlier mentioned 722 extension workers, 54,150 moringa seedlings were distributed to farmers across the State, while a total of 150 women were trained and empowered on backyard gardening and formulation of nutritive food supplement,” he added.
“KTARDA has conducted farmer data exercise across the State to ascertain the number of farming populace and related data as far the crop value chain, farm size and location. This activity serves as a guide to determine accuracy in data management and facilitate easy access to farming population for appropriate assistance,” the text of press briefing read in part.
Malam Faruk noted that the agency has also participated in National and State Agricultural Shows to showcase the massive agricultural potential of Katsina State.
