Sokoto Govt warns against fertiliser diversion as Kebbe receives 3,600 bags for farmers

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By Musa Ubandawaki, Sokoto

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The Sokoto State Government has warned against the diversion, hoarding or resale of fertiliser meant for farmers as the distribution of free agricultural inputs under Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration continues across the state.

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The warning was issued during the distribution of fertiliser allocated to Kebbe Local Government Area, where six trucks carrying a total of 3,600 bags of fertiliser were received for onward distribution to farmers ahead of the 2026 wet season farming activities.

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Speaking during the exercise, Chairman of the Fertiliser Distribution Committee in Kebbe Local Government Area, retired Colonel Garba Moyi Isa, said the intervention was part of the state government’s agricultural support programme aimed at increasing food production, improving farmers’ livelihoods and strengthening food security.

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He explained that each of the 124 polling units in the local government area would receive 15 bags of NPK fertiliser and five bags of Urea to ensure equitable distribution among genuine farmers across the communities.

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Isa stressed that the fertiliser was provided free of charge by the state government and warned that anyone found diverting or selling the commodity would face appropriate sanctions.

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“We have put in place a transparent mechanism to ensure that only genuine farmers benefit from this programme. Anybody found diverting or attempting to sell the fertiliser allocated to farmers will face appropriate sanctions,” he said.

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He urged community leaders, political stakeholders, ward officials and security agencies to monitor the distribution process and report any cases of abuse.

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The committee chairman commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for prioritising agriculture and supporting farmers through the provision of fertiliser and other agricultural inputs.

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Also speaking, Chairman of Kebbe Local Government Area, Hon. Musa Garba Kuchi, warned against allowing middlemen and speculators to take advantage of the intervention.

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He said the fertiliser was specifically meant to support farmers and should not be diverted for commercial purposes.

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“This fertiliser belongs to the farmers. It is not meant for traders, speculators or middlemen. We will not tolerate any attempt to divert, hoard or resell what government has provided freely to support food production,” he stated.

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Kuchi urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the inputs to improve farm yields and contribute to the state’s agricultural development efforts.

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He further called on traditional rulers, community leaders and youth groups to support the monitoring of the programme, noting that any diversion of the fertiliser would negatively affect farmers and undermine government’s efforts to boost food production.

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Stakeholders at the event commended the Sokoto State Government for the intervention, describing it as timely given the rising cost of agricultural production and the need to strengthen food security.

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The fertiliser distribution programme forms part of the state government’s broader agricultural initiatives aimed at empowering smallholder farmers, increasing productivity and promoting economic growth across Sokoto State.

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