Farmers in Gombe State are calling for transparency regarding the whereabouts of 2,000 tonnes of fertiliser that was reportedly donated by the Federal Government to support food security in the state.
Governor Muhammadu Yahaya had announced the fertiliser donation during the flag-off ceremony in June 2024, which was intended to assist farmers during the wet season. However, frustrated farmers are now claiming that the fertiliser remains undistributed and has been diverted to “political farmers” instead.
These farmers are urging the governor to ensure that the Federal Government’s free fertiliser is fairly distributed to genuine farmers, especially as they prepare for the dry season.
Esther Bitrus, a rice and maize farmer from Dadin Kowa, expressed her disappointment, noting that only the state-subsidised fertiliser, priced at N22,000 per bag, was available, and even that was distributed selectively. “I had to buy my fertiliser at market rates because I couldn’t access either the federal or state-provided supplies,” Bitrus said. “It’s disheartening that despite the Federal Government’s goodwill, we’re left to fend for ourselves.”
Sarah Yakubu, another farmer, echoed these concerns, warning that neglecting farmers in Gombe could worsen food scarcity and deepen rural poverty. “If farmers in Kano and Nasarawa receive fertiliser for free, why should Gombe State be different?” she asked.
For Umar Hamisu, a Nafada farmer, the lack of affordable fertiliser has hindered his ability to plant sorghum and wheat adequately in 2024. “We heard that President Tinubu supported us with fertiliser, but nothing reached our villages,” Hamisu complained.
Grain farmer Aliyu Kashere also voiced his frustrations, stating that farmers in Gombe need real support, like other farmers across the country. “The government should ensure proper distribution for the dry season,” Kashere said.
In response to the allegations, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, and Cooperatives, Dr. Barnabas Malle, dismissed the claims of diversion, insisting that the fertilisers were allocated to “real farmers” and not political affiliates. “There were efforts by some to secure fertiliser for resale, but Governor Yahaya’s stringent oversight prevented this,” Malle stated.
Both federal and state-provided fertilisers, totaling 4,000 tonnes, had been distributed to cooperatives and individual farmers at subsidised rates, according to Malle.
Barrister Abdullahi Jalo, Chairman of the Fertiliser Distribution Committee, also denied the mismanagement accusations. He clarified that although he had chaired the committee since 2023, he had joined after the federal fertiliser distribution had begun. “Governor Yahaya distributed federal fertiliser free multiple times before I joined the committee,” Jalo explained.
When asked about the exact timing of the Federal Government’s fertiliser delivery, Jalo remarked, “That’s a question for the governor. Currently, we’re finalising distribution records for the state’s fertiliser, which was sold to farmers at N22,000 per bag.”
