Segun Awofadeji in Bauchi
As part of efforts to enhance agricultural production in the state, Bauchi State Government has released N300 million to the Bauchi State Agricultural Supply Company (BASAC) for a revolving scheme meant to ensure uninterrupted fertiliser blending and distribution to farmers in the state. The Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr. Samaila Burga, disclosed this yesterday while declaring open a five-day training workshop for staff of BASAC, organised in collaboration with Namus Agro-Consult Nigeria Limited, at the BSADP Conference Hall, in Bauchi, the state capital.
Burga emphasised the present administration’s determination to develop the agricultural sector and boost the state’s economy. He said the scheme was aimed at eliminating hindrances to the availability of fertiliser to peasant farmers across the state.
The commissioner said BASAC was established in 1981 by the state government to alleviate the plight of farmers.
He stated, “The company is to ensure that the farmers got quality farm inputs in order to boost production. Over the years, the company has done well, as can be seen in the produce of our farmers yearly.”
Burga added, “in order to ensure that the farmers got fertiliser without hitches, the government has released the sum of N300 million to BASAC as a revolving scheme to procure the commodity from the blending company, sell it to the farmers, and go for another round of supply. With that, there will be no break in supply of the commodity.” He urged the participants to pay attention to the training to be able to serve the people better because, according to him, effective service delivery will attract patronage from the farmers.
Earlier, General Manager of BASAC, Mr. Ibrahim Duguri, said the company was determined to ensure farmers in the state got quality service in order to boost production. He said for effective service delivery, the company had three zonal offices and sales outlets across the state where the farmers, especially peasants without the financial ability to make purchases, could access its services.
The BASAC general manager commended the state government for supporting the company in its determination to improve agricultural production in the state, saying the people of the state are collaborating with the company to boost their businesses.
