150,000 Farmers Register For GES Programme In Jigawa

The Jigawa Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Rabiu Isa, has said that more than 150, 000 farmers have been registered under the Gross Enhancement Support (GES) programme in the state.

Isa, who disclosed this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse on Monday, said the farmers were registered in the 27 local government areas of the state.

GES is a critical component of the Federal Government’s Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATAP).

It is designed to ensure early and direct distribution of fertilisers and other inputs to farmers via electronic messages, otherwise called e-wallet.

It also seeks to promote private sector participation in the procurement and distribution of fertilisers.

He said that more than 14, 800 tones of assorted fertilisers would be distributed to the registered farmers under the programme this cropping season.

The government, he said, would also distribute additional 6, 000 tones of the commodity to farmers in the state. Meanwhile many farmers in Dutse Jigawa have expressed the hope of recording a bumper harvest this season due to the early arrival of the rains in some parts of the state.

The rain, which was recorded in different parts of the state, signalled the commencement of the cropping season.

The rain was recorded in Dutse, Birnin-kudu, Gumel and Kazaure local government areas, and farmers in these areas have already commenced clearing their farmlands, preparatory to the cropping season.

A cross section of the farmers, expressed joy over the development.

Alhaji AbdulKareem, a maize farmer, said he was optimistic of a bumper harvest this season following early arrival of the rain.

He said that he had already cleared weeds and applied cow dung on his farm, adding that would enable him begin early planting.

Another farmer, Aminu Dauda, said he was hopeful of recording high yields in view of the measures adopted by the government to enhance farmer access to fertilisers and other inputs.

Dauda said that the farmer education and support programme coupled with the revamping of the Jigawa Agricultural Supply Company (JASCO) would help farmers to increase their yields per hectare.

He added that the establishment of retail outlets by the JASCO would enhance access to quality seeds and chemicals for farmers at the grassroots.

He, however, appealed to the government to ensure early distribution of fertilisers and other inputs to encourage productivity.