The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kaduna State chapter, has appealed to the state government and other stakeholders to ensure early distribution of inputs for dry season farming.
Alhaji Nuhu Aminu, the chairman of the AFAN in the state, made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Zaria.
Aminu said inputs for dry season farming such as fertilizer, pumping machines, herbicides and improved seeds should be distributed to farmers in February to avoid loss of investment.
“Fifty-five thousand farmers applied for intervention for dry season farming in the state, but only 13, 301 farmers were cleared for Phase one of the programme,’’ he said.
Aminu, however, said that the farmers had not received inputs for the dry season farming.
He said that in ideal situation, farmers ought to have begun the dry season farming between November and December, adding that maize and rice had average of 90 days to 115 days to mature.
The chairman noted that early seizure of rainfall had affected maize and rice production in the country, adding that dry season farming would augment their production.
Aminu also called on the state government to intervene to reduce the price of fertilizer in the state to boost food production.
According to him, the Uurea fertilizer is being sold for N9, 500, while Nitrate Phosphorous and Potassium (NPK) are sold at N10, 300. (NAN)
