Oyo State Government on Thursday in Ibadan said that 12,000 metric tonnes of UREA/NPK fertilizer would be available at a subsidised rate to the farmers in the state for the next planting season.
The government said it was imperative to prepare ahead for the next planting season, saying that the move was to boost farm products and increase yield in the state.
The State Commissioner for Agriculture, Natural Resources and Rural Development, Prince Oyewole Oyewumi, disclosed that the state was expecting the supply of 8,000 metric tonnes of NPK fertilizer under the Federal Government Special Fertilizer Intervention Programme.
READ ALSO: NHIS: Yusuf speaks on suspension, recall
The Commissioner, speaking through the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mr. Victor Atilola, stressed that there was an ongoing process by the state government to procure 4,000 metric tonnes of UREA fertilizer to be sold to farmers at a subsidized rate.
Prince Oyewumi noted that the present administration in the state was working earnestly to ensure food security, boost farm products as well as enhance the state economy, explaining that the fertilizer would be available in all the eight warehouses and the Farm Service Centres where agricultural inputs were being sold in the state.
The Commissioner, while speaking on the purchase of agrochemical said that government decided to concentrate on the procurement of fertilizers and not agrochemicals because farmers could easily access the crop protection products in their locality.
Prince Oyewumi therefore enjoined members of the public especially youths to actively embrace farming in order to guarantee food security, become gainfully engaged and eradicate poverty.
