The Nasarawa State Government said that it has distributed 31 trucks out of 38 trucks of fertilizers purchased for farmers across the 13 local government and 18 development areas in order to boost food security in the state.

Prof. Allahnana Otaki, the Commissioner for Agriculture made this known while defending the ministry’s 2021 budget proposal before the state House of Assembly Committee on Agriculture today in Lafia.

He has said that each local government and development areas has already been given one truck of fertilizer, adding that the local government councils and development areas are awaiting for the directive of the government for onward distribution to farmers.

” We want to commend the committee for supporting the activities of the ministry.

“As a ministry, we are doing our best in boosting food production in order to ensure food security through our various agricultural policies and programmes in the state.

” I want to inform you that we have purchased 38 trucks of fertilizers in which we have already sent one truck each to each local government and development areas.

” The remaining 7 trucks is kept with us as local government councils are awaiting for the state government directive to distribute the fertilizers to their farmers.

” This is is to boost food security, boost employment and improve on the standard of living of the people of the state,” he said.

The commissioner, however, said that the ministry need more funds to purchase machines, equipment among other farming tools for the overall development of the state.

Earlier, Dr Peter Akwe ( PDP-Obi 1) the Chairman of the committee, has assured the ministry of the committee’s readiness to support the state government in order to boost food production in the state.

” We will continue to support you to succeed as the importance of Agriculture to human and society development could not be overemphasized.

” We will do our best to address your challenges for the benefit of our people and for the overall development of the state, ” he said.

The chairman also assured the ministry of its continued synergy in order to ensure food security in the state.

Meantime, the management of Nasarawa Agricultural Development Programme NADP led by its Programme Manager, Alanana O Emmanuel defend its 2021 budget proposal where he told the committee that the programme has budgeted fund for the purchase of tractors in order to boost farming activities in the state.

The Committee Chairman, Dr Peter Akwe assured them of the committee support to succeed.