Akwa Ibom State Government has spent N3.3bn to procure 30,000 metric tonnes of fertilizers from the Federal Government, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Uduak Udo-Inyang revealed.
He explained that the state government was determined to end food shortages by exploring different areas of agricultural endeavours to arrest the challenge.
The commissioner told journalists in Uyo on Thursday that out of the 30,000 metric tonnes ordered by the state government, the delivery of 10,000 metric tonnes had been taken.
“The Akwa Ibom State Government has spent N3.3bn to acquire 30,000 metric tons of fertilizers for farmers. Not all has been supplied. The Federal Government has issued 10,000 metric tonnes of these fertilizers to farmers. We are waiting for the balance,” he said.
He noted that the demand for fertilizers by Akwa Ibom farmers had been very slow.
Udo-Inyang, however, said his ministry would sell parts of the fertilizers to farmers from neighbouring states including Abia, adding that many of the farmers had indicated interest to buy the product.
The commissioner also asked the youths to look beyond politics and white collar jobs, saying farming held great potential for the development of the state and its people.
Udo-Inyang stated that the government had acquired more than 10 tractors to boost mechanized and commercial agriculture, assuring them that the state would soon witness robust planting in the coming year.
