Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State
By Baba Shehu Oscu, Bauchi
All political appointees in Bauchi State have been challenged to go to the farm and cultivate at least one hectre of land in line with Governor Bala Mohammed administration revolution in the agricultural sector.
Governor Mohammad gave the directive weekend at the flagging-off of fertilizer sale for the 2020 farming season in Bauchi, where he stressed the need for the state to attain self-sufficiency in agricultural production.
“In order to deepen farming culture among our elites population, i have directed the ministry of agriculture to ensure that all members of the State Executive Council to cultivate a land”. He said.
Senator Bala Mohammed categorically stated, “For the purpose of emphasis, all political appointees must cultivate at least a hectre during the season”.
The governor said, “It is not an exception that I’m going to carry my hoe and go to the farm because I stay in Bauchi and I don’t to go to Abuja, I have nothing to take in Abuja”.
He added, “My eyes are on ball and I’m staying here, and you can testify that I have been in Bauchi for the last three months without going anywhere outside Bauchi state”
He therefore urged government officials to borrow this particular dedication, saying all hands are on deck with a view to discharging government’s responsibility in line with the mandate given by the people of Bauchi state.
Bala told the occasion, “We are trying to make sure that the mandate given to us by the good people of Bauchi state is not played with. We must manage, we must supervise, we must rule by example”.
“I will secure my own farm. Of course I know my deputy is a good farmer because he is the Sarkin Ayyuka to the emir of Bauchi, he will do the same”, the governor said.
The governor pledged to personally supervise, monitor and evaluate compliance to the directive, stressing, “Once we set example of the best practice, the rest of the farming population will be encouraged and thousands will eventually join”.
Bala, while regretting that sometimes fertilizers meant for the people of Bauchi are taken outside the state due to sharp practices, however warned that the act will never be tolerated by his administration.
He stated, “We have a common heritage, and it is to have fidelity and our heritage is to make sure that we farm and assist others to farm”.
The governor explained that the existing agricultural strategic plan in the state is being looked into with a view to bringing commercial farming into the state.
Bala, who recalled that he was recently in Germany to woo investors into the state, disclosed that so many companies are coming to Bauchi to do organic farming that can generate wealth for the state more than petroleum.
He gave the sale prize of fertilizers as NPK N5, 000 per bag and Urea as N7, 000, saying urea is currently being sold in markets at a cost of N8, 000 per bag.
