Government slashes fertiliser prices by 50%, to sell at ₦32,000 per bag
Government slashes fertiliser prices by 50%, to sell at ₦32,000 per bag
Governor Muhammadu Yahaya has announced that the Gombe State Government will sell fertiliser to farmers at a subsidised rate of N32,000 per 50kg bag for the 2026 wet farming season, describing the intervention as a strategic move to safeguard food security and protect farmers from rising production costs.
Speaking on Tuesday at the flag-off of fertiliser sales and distribution in Gombe, the governor said the state procured 12,000 metric tonnes of NPK 20:10:10 fertiliser, equivalent to 240,000 bags, at a cost of N64,000 per bag but slashed the selling price by 50 per cent to ease the burden on farmers.
“Government procured the fertiliser at N64,000 per bag, but I have directed that it be sold to farmers at a subsidised rate of N32,000 per bag. This is our direct response to the harsh economic realities facing our farming communities,” Yahaya said.
He added, “We will not abandon those who feed the nation. Our farmers deserve support and encouragement to continue producing food for our people.”
The governor warned that rising costs of agricultural inputs, coupled with declining market prices for farm produce, are threatening the profitability of farming and discouraging young people from embracing agriculture.
“If this trend is not checked, fewer farmers will cultivate their lands, productivity will decline, and food scarcity may become inevitable. That is why we have taken deliberate steps to make farming more attractive and profitable,” he said.
Beyond the fertiliser subsidy, Yahaya disclosed that the government would distribute 833 water pumps, 450 motorised weeders, 544 motorised sprayers, 550 rice transplanters, 350 groundnut shellers, 50 rice and maize planters and harvesters, 50 rice milling machines, 45 walking tractors, as well as 20 oil filtering and oil-pressing machines free of charge to farmers.
He said the administration had consistently invested billions of naira in agricultural support programmes since 2019 through subsidised fertilisers, farm inputs and strategic partnerships with development agencies.
According to him, projects such as the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes Project and the Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project have significantly strengthened agricultural productivity across the state.
The governor also highlighted ongoing work on the 184-hectare Special Agro-Livestock Development Zone, which he said would feature an ultra-modern abattoir, tannery, livestock market, international grains market, veterinary hospital and inland dry port.
“When completed, the Special Agro-Livestock Development Zone will transform not only Gombe State but the entire North-East region’s livestock economy,” he said.
Yahaya urged farmers to embrace modern farming techniques, dry-season agriculture and weather-based planning to improve yields and withstand climate-related challenges.
“We must move away from purely traditional and rain-dependent farming methods. Farmers should pay close attention to weather advisories and early warning systems to reduce the risks associated with drought, flooding and pest infestations,” he said.
The governor further stressed the need for peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders, warning that his administration would not tolerate actions capable of disrupting peace and stability in the state.
“Gombe has remained a model of harmony. We will continue to protect the lives and livelihoods of both crop farmers and livestock herders, and anyone who attempts to undermine our peace will face the full weight of the law,” he warned.
To ensure transparency in the exercise, Yahaya announced the constitution of a special fertiliser distribution committee and directed security agencies to monitor the process closely.
“The distribution exercise will be closely monitored against fraud, diversion and illegal sales. Anyone found tampering with the process will be dealt with decisively,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the 2026 farming season would bring bumper harvests and renewed prosperity to farming communities across the state.
