Kaduna State Government has commenced the distribution of 500 truckloads of fertiliser at no cost alongside tractors to benefit about 150,000 smallholder farmers across the 23 local government areas of the state as part of efforts to increase food production and improve rural livelihoods.
Governor Uba Sani, who officially launched the programme at Murtala Mohammed Square on Saturday, said the intervention reflects the administration’s sustained commitment to supporting farmers and boosting agricultural output across the state.
The governor explained that the fertiliser support scheme has now entered its third consecutive year. He recalled that 100,000 farmers received 400 truckloads of free fertiliser in 2025, while more than 500 truckloads and other agricultural inputs were supplied during the 2024 dry season farming programme.
According to him, the latest exercise ranks among the biggest fertiliser support initiatives undertaken by any state government in Nigeria. He said the programme was designed to reduce the burden created by rising production costs and encourage farmers to cultivate larger areas instead of cutting back because of expensive farm inputs.
Governor Sani disclosed that although there were suggestions that the fertiliser should be sold to farmers at a subsidised rate of ₦20,000 per bag after the government procured each bag for ₦56,000, the administration decided on free distribution. He said many small-scale farmers would still have struggled to afford the subsidised price.
He added that selling the fertiliser could also have encouraged middlemen and commercial farmers to purchase large quantities for resale at higher prices, thereby preventing the intended beneficiaries from accessing the support.
Speaking on the importance of agriculture to the state’s economy, Sani said the sector accounts for about 43 percent of Kaduna State’s Gross Domestic Product and provides employment for between 60 and 80 percent of the active labour force. He also stated that improved security has enabled many displaced farmers to return to their farmlands, with about 5,000 hectares reclaimed through collaboration between local communities and the Federal Government.
The governor described Kaduna as one of Nigeria’s leading producers of maize, tomatoes and ginger, noting that agriculture remains essential to food security, industrial development, employment generation and economic growth in rural communities.
He also highlighted the sharp increase in government spending on agriculture since his administration assumed office. According to him, the sector received only ₦1.48 billion, representing about 0.4 percent of the state budget in 2023. The allocation rose to ₦23.4 billion in 2024 and increased further to ₦74.02 billion in 2025. He added that more than ₦100 billion has been earmarked for agriculture and food security in the 2026 budget.
Sani noted that the latest allocation represents about 11.65% of total state expenditure, exceeding the 10% benchmark for agricultural investment contained in the Malabo Declaration.
He credited the progress recorded in the agricultural sector to the backing of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while stating that Kaduna has continued to invest across every stage of agricultural production.
According to the governor, the administration is improving access to quality seeds, mechanised farming, irrigation facilities, extension services, agricultural financing, insurance coverage and market opportunities in order to increase productivity and raise farmers’ incomes.
He further stated that the government has expanded investments in livestock development through improved veterinary services, disease monitoring, vaccination campaigns, dairy production, poultry farming, better animal feed and pastoral facilities.
The governor revealed that over 100,000 farmers have already been enrolled in agricultural insurance schemes to shield them from losses caused by floods, drought, pests and other natural disasters.
He also said rural roads have been upgraded to link farming communities with aggregation centres, processing facilities and urban markets, a move he said has reduced post harvest losses while improving access to buyers.
Sani disclosed that Kaduna State is implementing the Special Agro Industrial Processing Zone in collaboration with the Federal Government and the African Development Bank to strengthen value addition in agriculture. He added that plans are also underway to establish the Africa Quality Assurance Centre to ensure agricultural products from the state satisfy international quality standards and remain competitive in regional and global markets.
