By Lawal A. Dogara, Kaduna
All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kaduna State chapter has called for urgent intervention of the Federal Government toward prompt release of 2017 dry season fertilisers, chemicals and seeds under Gross Enhancement Scheme (GES).
The association’s Chaiman Alhaji Nuhu, Aminu made the plea in an interview with the News Men in Zaria, Kaduna State on Monday.
He said the call became imperative in view of the fact that 2017 dry season GES programme was yet to take-off despite the fact that the year had come an end.
“The GES programme was supposed to commence since October but up to now, nothing had been done. Remember, we are already in December and we are still waiting for its take-off.
“I want use this medium to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to compel the Minister of Agriculture to sign the 2017 GES to enable farmers across Nigeria reap the fruits of democracy.
“The fertilisers and seeds under GES are more genuine and are being supplied at subsidised rates, we usually get a discount of more than N3,000 per bag and this had assisted many peasant farmers,” he said.
The chairman observed that farmers across the country have complied with the directives of Mr President and went back to farm which had actually yielded positive results.
“As farmers, we have listened and complied with the President’s instruction, we go back to our farmland and we have produced enough food this year.
“However, we are already in dry dry season farming period which started since October but up to this time, neither fertilisers nor seeds or chemicals was released to farmers,” he noted.
The chairman recalled that last week the National Agricultural Research Extension and Liaisons Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) had organized organised a programme that drew all chairmen of AFAN across Nigeria.
“During this programme, I spoke on behalf of all other AFAN chairman on this issue, because things are getting out of hand as far as dry season farming is concerned.
“Government need to do something urgently to rescue the agriculture from collapse, this is because, without this fertilisers supply many farmers would have been morally defeated,” he said.
