From: Linus Oota, Lafia

At least four Chinese fertilizer blending companies are to commenced operations in Nasarawa State in the next 45 days in other to produce fertilizer for this year’s farming season for farmers at subsidised rates.

Governor Umaru Tanko Al-makura stated this, on Wednesday, in Lafia, the state capital, while conducting the Chinese investors round the moribund fertilizer blending company in the state established during the administration of former Governor Abdulahi Adamu.

Al-makura explained that all arrangements have been completed between the state government and the Chinese investors to commence operations in the next 45 days

He maintained that he had already signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with four Chinese companies (BEIDOU Group) for the procurement and installation of fertilizer blending equipment in other to boost agriculture in the state

Governor Al-makura said the development was as a result of his recent visit with some northern governors to China on a business exploration, adding that after close examination of other Chinese companies, BEIDOU was considered the most competent in the manufacturing of fertilizer blending equipment with over four different categories of the blending equipment that attracted the interest of the state government.

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According to the governor, “The project has already started, because we brought the manufacturers to see the existing machines that we have that have gone faulty with the hope that they will be able to determine the areas of fault and make quick fix

“We are hoping that in the next few weeks, the Chinese companies will commence production of fertilizer in the state so that we will be able to meet the fertilizer season for the year, in the next 45 days we should be able to have brand new fertilizer equipments in Nasarawa state for operations” Almakura assured

The governor further explained that his next focus in the state is to embark on agricultural revolution, adding that about 70% of Nasarawa state populations are farmers and promise to establish an intimate synergy with the faculty of agriculture at the state university to add value to the agricultural sector in the state.

Speaking earlier, the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Nasrawa State University , Keffi,  Dr. Muhammed Haruna, explained that their recent visit to Pakistan on the directive of the governor to study the advances being made in the field of agriculture was already yielding fruitful result as for the first time in the history of the state basmati rice production will soon commenced.

Dr. Haruna said that the procurement of fertilizer blending machines for the sole purpose of producing fertilizers at subsidised rates for local farmers would greatly address the problem of low yields recorded by farmers in the state, and bring to the fore the full potentials of agricultural production in the state since due to poor soil fertility and lack of access to fertilizer have made many farmers and communities to stop growing certain crops particularly cereals.