The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations has begun the distribution of agricultural inputs to about 210,000 people affected by insurgency across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states as part of efforts to improve food production and strengthen livelihoods.
The exercise, officially launched in Maiduguri on Tuesday, is expected to reach 30,000 farming households with seeds, fertiliser, livestock feed and other agricultural support ahead of the farming season.
Speaking during the launch, the FAO Country Director in Nigeria, Dr Hussein Gadain, said the intervention is designed to help vulnerable families return to farming, earn an income and gradually rebuild their lives after years of conflict.
According to him, the programme is funded by the governments of Norway, Switzerland and Japan. He said beneficiaries will receive 163 metric tonnes of improved cereal, legume and vegetable seeds, 238 metric tonnes of NPK fertiliser, 375 metric tonnes of livestock feed, 118,000 poultry pullets, 3,000 goats and 116 metric tonnes of Tom Brown nutritional food.
Gadain explained that FAO is also implementing programmes aimed at strengthening long term agricultural development across the region. These include irrigation cluster farms, solar powered irrigation facilities, aquaculture projects, centres for the production of Tom Brown, dairy and fodder facilities, as well as the promotion of climate smart farming methods to support year round cultivation.
He said the support comes at a time when food insecurity continues to worsen across the country, particularly in the Northeast, because of conflict, displacement, climate challenges and rising food costs.
Citing the May 2026 Cadre Harmonisé Projection Update, Gadain said an estimated 36.29 million people across 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to experience crisis or more severe levels of food and nutrition insecurity during the June to August lean season. He added that about 6.38 million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states alone are projected to fall within Phase Three or higher of the classification.
He appreciated the Borno State Government for its partnership and reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture and resilient livelihoods across the three states. He also acknowledged the continued support of Norway, Switzerland and Japan for investing in food security and livelihood restoration in the region.
“As we begin the 2026 rainy season distribution, our collective responsibility is to ensure farming families have the opportunity to recover, improve their productivity and build a more secure future,” he said.
Borno State Governor, Prof Babagana Zulum, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani, described the intervention as timely and urged beneficiaries to begin cultivation without delay.
He said the state government would continue to pursue policies that encourage self reliance among farmers while ensuring that food production remains a priority.
“The partnership between FAO and the Borno State Government has continued to produce positive results. We are encouraging our farmers to make full use of the farming season so that food will be available for our people. Our administration remains committed to building resilience among farmers and guaranteeing food security across the state,” he said.
