Damaturu — Yobe State Governor Ibrahim Gaidam yesterday ordered the state Agriculture Ministry to sell grains stored in its reserve at the cost of N1,000 per bag to cushion the effects of high food prices as farmers return to the farms for the new cropping season.

The current market price for the commodity across the state is N8,000 per bag.

The Governor gave the order at a ceremony in Damaturu to flag off grains sales at subsidised rates, which the government normally does on the eve of every new farming season.

Gaidam said 11,700 bags of assorted grains including millet and maize would be sold across the state to assist low income earners, as they return to cultivate their farms.

The government, according to Agriculture Commissioner, Idi Barde Gubana has bought each bag of the grains in the open market at N6, 000 after the last cropping season when farmers harvested their crops.

Gaidam said the Yobe State Government would continue to make agricultural inputs including fertilizers, chemicals and insecticides available and affordable to farmers.

The Governor said the grains would be distributed per local government area, with council areas mostly affected by a recent drought such as Yusufari, Machina, etc getting 900 bags each to sell.

The Governor tasked officials and local government chairmen to ensure fair distribution of the commodities and ensure that low income earners benefit fully.

The Governor also announced that 500 bags of assorted grains would be given to the less privileged in the state, including disabled persons, widows and orphans.