By Bashir Hassan Abubakar
The Bauchi State Government has taken decisive action to address the recent fertilizer shortage plaguing farmers across the state. The move comes on the heels of a formal investigation into the causes of the delay and mismanagement.
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed had earlier flagged off the 2025 fertilizer sales in Alkaleri Local Government Area, promising subsidized inputs at N20,000 per bag.
However, farmers soon faced difficulties accessing the fertilizer.
State Commissioner for Agriculture, Aliyu Iliyasu Gital, cited global raw material shortages, skyrocketing prices, and internal administrative lapses as key reasons behind the delay.
He assured the public that alternative supplies were being sourced, including a partnership with OCP Africa, a Moroccan agricultural support company, which has committed to supplying 50 trucks of fertilizer to the state.
Meanwhile , to further uncover the root causes of the delay and ensure accountability, Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Aminu Hammayo inaugurated a high-powered committee to investigate the financial and administrative handling of fertilizer production in Bauchi State.
The committee, chaired by Farouk Mustapha, Commissioner for Special Duties and Rural Development, will investigate production and distribution lapses, trace and recover funds, and recommend reforms to prevent future occurrences.
Alhaji Aminu Hammayo highlighted critical issues that led to the recent development, including a disconnect between the Ministry of Agriculture, BASAC, and the Bauchi Fertilizer Company, poor financial management, and failure to meet timely distribution needs. The committee is expected to submit its findings within two weeks.
As the farming season progresses, stakeholders await the outcome of the committee’s work and the full rollout of the subsidized fertilizer program, a move that could reshape the state’s agricultural landscape.