KNSG to increase fertilizer’s production with new machine worth N250m

The Kano State Government (KNSG) has bought a new fertilizer blending machine worth N250 million as part of efforts to reinvigorate its existing fertilizer blending  plant at Kano State Agricultural Supply Company (KASCO) and increase production.

The state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Nasiru Gawuna, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kano on Sunday that it was purchased from the profit generated from its fertilizer blending plant in Kano.
He said the new machine which would soon be inaugurated to start operations “is next in size in Africa after the one in South Africa.’’
He said the decision to purchase the additional plant for the factory was borne out of the state government’s effort to encourage commercial agriculture and ensure availability of the commodity for sale to farmers in the state.
“Non-availability of fertilizer has been bothering farmers in the state, hence, the decision by the state government to revive the KASCO blending plant and subsidise the price of the commodity for its farmers,” Gawuna said.

He said that with the subsidy from the state government, it had instructed the company to sell a bag for N5,500.

He said the government had also rehabilitated all the agricultural stores in the 44 local government areas of the state to ensure that farmers have access to the commodity with ease.
The commissioner urged the farmers in the state to report any person found selling the commodity above the government approved price to the company.
“Our mobile phone number is printed on the bags for  farmers to report those selling it above the approved price.’
Gawuna said that 80 per cent of farmers in the state had been able to buy the product following the massive production of the commodity by KASCO blending plant.
He said following the recent reports on adulteration of fertilizer, the state government had directed farmers to be very vigilant and report anyone found in the act to the law enforcement agency for sanction.

The commissioner also assured the farmers that the state government had made adequate arrangements with the National Seed Council to provide farmers with improved seeds for better yields.