Bauchi earmarks N44m for annual livestock vaccination
Bauchi state government said that the Sum of N44 million has been approved for the 2022 annual livestock vaccination exercise.
Governor Bala Mohammed of the state who made this known while launching the 2022 farming season and flag-off of fertilizer distribution in Nabordo town of Toro local government area of the state on Saturday explained that an ultra-modern specialist veterinary clinic would also be constructed at Ran Gate in Bauchi Metropolis.
Bala said in order to improve and modernize agricultural production, the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP) has been rendering agricultural extension Services to farmers.
The Governor further noted that BSADP has also been partnering with Agricultural Research Institutes for sourcing improved agricultural innovations for use by farmers to enhance productivity.
Governor Bala said approval has been granted to the Bauchi State Agricultural Supply Company (BASAC) for the procurement and sale of agricultural inputs at subsidized prices.
Bala however, expressed displeasure at the activities of some selfish and unpatriotic citizens who engage in adulterating all kinds of agricultural inputs.
While describing the act as a sabotage, Bala vowed that government will ensure that the perpetrators are
traced and sanctioned appropriately.
He directed the ministry of Agriculture and that of the Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to immediately constitute a task force committee comprising security agencies and all other stakeholders to arrest and deal with all culprits accordingly.
“Already, I am aware that Agro-input dealers union of the State have started fighting against this bad habit, and I am assuring you of the support of the State Government”, the governor said.
Bala lamented that the war between Russia and Ukraine has resulted in the shortage of ammonia, a major raw material for the production of fertilizer.
Governor Bala Mohammed who said that situation has in turn led to astronomical rise in the cost of fertilizer, fixed prices of NPK and Urea at N15,000 and N20,000 per 50kg bag respectively.
According to him, the situation would naturally have negative impact on crop production.
“The State
Government has therefore decided to make fertilizer available and affordable to farmers by subsidizing the price of the commodity”, said.