GOVERNOR Saidu Dakingari of Kebbi said during the week  that the state government had spent N1.4 billion on the purchase of 11,550 tonnes of fertiliser.

Dakingari made this known during the launch of fertiliser sales in Jega, where he was represented by his Deputy, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu.

He said that the assorted fertiliser would be sold to farmers at subsidised rates and urged the local government chairmen to involve traditional and community leaders in the sale, to prevent diversion of the commodity.

The governor said that additional incentives would be made available to farmers, to ensure food security and encourage commercial production of crops.

Also speaking at the occasion, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Rabiu Koko, said that local government councils would receive allocations according to their financial contribution.

He said that a bag of the commodity would cost N1,700 and urged the councils to ensure equitable distribution.

A cross section of farmers who reacted to the development, described the sale as timely and urged the councils to ensure fairness in the distribution of the commodity.