Bauchi Governor Apologizes for Herbicide Misuse on Farms

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir issued an apology to agricultural stakeholders following a controversial incident where the state ministry of agriculture sprayed herbicides on farmlands shortly before the harvesting period. During a meeting with representatives from the Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Farmers Association of Nigeria, and Poultry Association of Nigeria, Abdulkadir expressed regret on behalf of the state government.

He revealed that he became aware of the indiscriminate spraying after public complaints, prompting him to instruct the agriculture commissioner to halt the spraying until the next year. Abdulkadir accepted responsibility for the lack of public sensitization by the Ministry of Agriculture and acknowledged that chemical application should have occurred at the start of the rainy season.

He suggested that local authorities should mechanically clear pastoral routes at the beginning of the farming season to protect crops. Abdulkadir emphasized the importance of active engagement with agricultural associations for better policy communication in the future.