The Katsina State Government has declared a massive boost to food security through investment in agriculture, livestock development, procurement of 400 tractors,722 extension workers, motorcycles and knapsack sprayers
The Deputy Governor Farouk Jobe, who spoke during the 4th edition of the monthly briefing, further described the achievements as part of effort of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda to promoting good governance, transparency, and accountability in the management of public funds.
He said: “Recognising 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,”
The Deputy Governor further stated 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.
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He further stated 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, with a view to providing farmers with required agricultural implements to boost food production in the State
On the activities of the Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (KTARDA), the Deputy Governor stated that Government has spent N273,604,600.00 to carry out numerous activities for the development of agriculture including the purchase and distribution of 40 motorcycles for monitoring activities and the distribution of agrochemicals for pest controls
According to him: “In order to utilise 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.”