The Bauchi State Government said on Monday that it spent N2.8 billion to purchase 20,000 tonnes of fertiliser between 2015 and 2016.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Yukubu Kirfi, disclosed this in Bauchi while briefing newsmen on the achievements recorded by the ministry in the last two years.
Kirfi said that the commodity was distributed to all categories of farmers in the state within the period under review.
He said that N1.2 billion was also spent on the purchase of equipment, materials and training of agricultural extension workers and farmers in the state.
The commissioner said that the training was done under the Federal Government Anchor Borrowers Programme for the production of rice and wheat in the state.
Kirfi said that the state government also spent N28 million to enable small scale farmers access inputs from suppliers under the National Agricultural Payment Scheme (NAPI).
He said that 800,000 farmers in the state were registered under the programme.
Kirfi said that N28.32 million was spent on the purchase agro-chemicals and equipment to serve as buffer stock for the control of pest and diseases.
The commissioner said that another N1.3 million was spent to carry out fumigation, following an outbreak of Avian Influenza recorded in 39 farms in the state.
He said that N18 million was spent on the repairs of 29 tractors through direct labour, while N6.4 million was given as assistance following an outbreak of quelea birds in the state.
Kirfi said that 5,675 farmers were trained under the poverty alleviation and job creation on modern animal fating, while 1,496 assorted animals were given to the beneficiaries.
He said that the assistance would enable the beneficiaries commence their own businesses.
The commissioner said that the state government raised 12,000 seedlings of Date Palm, which were planted in Great Green Wall Corridor.
He said that six solar and three wind-powered boreholes were drilled in Dugunde Town.
Kirfi said lack of farm machinery inadequate supply of farm inputs, untimely release of funds and difficulty in obtaining chickens, fish feeds were some of the challenges being faced by the ministry. (NAN)
HAM//DO/AFA