The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has delivered 41,522 litres of liquid gel fertilizer to the Plateau State Government for distribution to farmers in the state.
The items delivered were the remaining balance of fertilizer approved by the Federal Government under the National Food Security Council’s Emergency Agricultural Intervention, intended for states affected by the 2018 conflicts in Plateau State.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, was represented by the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting Dr Onimode Abdullahi Bandele during the presentation to Plateau State Governor Mr. Caleb Mutfwang in Jos.
She explained that the liquid gel fertilizer was a replacement for the previously approved NPK fertilizer, following new regulations introduced by the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) and recommendations from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
The transformation of the fertilizer into liquid gel began in 2022 and concluded in February 2024 after receiving approval from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda. The aim was to ensure that the liquid gel fertilizer would reach farmers before the end of the cropping season. The fertilizer distribution was made possible through the efforts of Vice President Kashim Shettima, who played a key role in ensuring that all beneficiary states received their full allocation.
Governor Mutfwang expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, particularly President Tinubu for approving the completion of the fertilizer supplies, and Vice President Shettima for his support. He also commended NEMA DG Zubaida Umar for her diligence in overseeing the delivery. The Governor assured that the fertilizer would be distributed to the targeted beneficiaries through farmers’ cooperatives to prevent diversion and ensure it reaches those in need.