“Now, a bag is sold at N8,000 here, but in Katsina metropolis, Maiaduwa or Charanchi, within the same state, it is sold above N9,000,”

“We are pained because despite our contact numbers submitted in our forms, nobody cared to inform us about the status of our applications,”

If the bill is passed the college is to be established in Daudawa, Faskari Local Government Area.

“We are lucky it was just showers and we pray it will not happen again till the month of April to May so that we have enough time space to finish harvesting our tomato,”

Improvement in the production of the crop in the area which started about 10 years ago, saw the farmers record bumper harvest and good market price for the produce last year.

“They now hardly strike in broad daylight, in most cases, they abduct their victims around 1am and 2am from their homes and it is clear those kidnappers are working closely with bad eggs amongst us who are serving as their informants,”

He noted that new technology, innovation and the right information to farmers were fast simplifying the production of the crop in the state.

About 5.6 million trees have so far been planted in Katsina State to promote environmental sustainability and boost income generation.

“It is hard now to see a farmer that produces cocoyam on a hectare or more of farmland; many of those who produce it now cultivate it in small farms, plot of lands close to town and backyard of houses,”

Alhaji Alto Yanduna, Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria in Sandamu, urged farmers and herders to work in unity and learn to solve problems amicably.

He further explained that a small basket (‘chilliga’ in Hausa) is now sold at N600 to N1,000 depending on its quality as against N4,500 it was sold about two months ago.

Some of the beneficiaries sold their fertiliser at N5,500 per bag to either farmers or retailers who would re-sell it at not less than N6,500 in the open market.

Last year, the price of 100kg bag went for N7,000 and later reached the peak of N9,800. This year, the farmers are already selling the same quantity at N12,000 at the farm.

He said the goal of the programme was to reduce rural poverty, increase food security, accelerate sustainable economic growth and reduce the vulnerability of smallholder farmers, including youth and women.