The Anambra State Government has commenced the disbursement of subsidised fertlisers to no fewer than 560 farmer groups in the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Afam Mbanefo, flagged off the disbursement of the fertilisers on Thursday at Otuocha in Anambra East Local Government Area.

He said the fertilisers were given out under the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) of the state’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Mbanefo said government was expecting optimal yield of cassava, yam and rice in the state during the farming season.

He said that the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) provided the subsidy at 50 per cent rate to the farmers, while the state government provided local operational costs.

Mbanefo advised the benefiting farmers from Anambra East, Anambra West and Ayamelum local government areas to apply the inputs according to specifications for better yields.

Also speaking, the state Pogramme Coordinator of VCDP, Mr. Emmanuel Aguncha, said that each farmer group would get four bags of fertilisers.

According to Aguncha, about 300 bags will be disbursed in the first phase.

Aguncha said the 560 farmer groups made up of producers, processors and marketers were expected to pay N12, 000 for the four bags as against the market price of N24, 000.

“We have got clearance to disburse more than 1, 000 bags of fertilisers in the second phase.

“The total amount provided as loan by IFAD is 105 dollars, while the state government contributes about N79 million annually for the programme.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Gov. Obiano