Beatrice Gondyi Bauchi
Bauchi State government has taken decisive action to address Fertilizer shortage affecting farmers across the state, beginning with a formal investigation into the causes of the delay and mismanagement.
Recall that in June, Governor Bala Mohammed flagged off the 2025 fertilizer sales at Gajin Duguri in Alkaleri Local Government Area, pledging to support farmers with subsidized inputs at twenty thousand Naira per bag, despite rising market costs, the launch was widely hailed as timely, with promises of equitable distribution across the 20 local government areas of the state.
However, in the weeks following the ceremony, farmers began experiencing difficulties in accessing fertilizer.
This prompted the State Commissioner for Agriculture, Aliyu Iliyasu Gital, to address the public in a special briefing.
He cited global raw material shortages, skyrocketing prices, and internal administrative lapses as key reasons behind the delay.
He assured that alternative supplies were being sourced, particularly through a partnership with OCP Africa, a Moroccan agricultural support company, which has committed to supplying 50 trucks of fertilizer to the state.
To further uncover the root causes of the delay and ensure accountability, the Secretary to the State Government Alhaji Aminu Hammayo, on behalf of the Governor, inaugurated a high-powered committee to investigate the financial and administrative handling of fertilizer production in Bauchi State.
Alhaji Aminu Hammayo noted several critical issues that resulted to the recent sad development over the fertilizer production, he cited a disconnect between the Ministry of Agriculture, BASAC, and the Bauchi Fertilizer Company, Poor financial management related to production funds, and an overall failure to meet the timely distribution needs of farmers at a crucial point in the farming season.
According to the SSG the committee will unravel the mystery behind production and distribution lapses, and trace and recover funds provided for fertilizer, and also recommend reforms on the best way to avoid reoccurrence in the future.
The committee is chaired by Farouk Mustapha, Commissioner for Special Duties and Rural Development, while other members include the Head of Civil Service, Chairmen of the State Assembly Committees on Agriculture and Finance, the Accountant General, Auditor General, and the Chairman of the State Internal Revenue Service.
The Permanent Secretary ( Political office of the SSG) will serve as secretary.
In his inaugural remarks, Farouk Mustapha assured the government and the people of Bauchi State of a thorough and unbiased investigation.
He promised to submit the committee’s findings within two weeks as directed acknowledging the urgency of the issue during this crucial period of the rainy season.
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