More than 20,000 smallholder farmers across four states have begun receiving subsidised fertiliser under a Federal Government initiative, implemented through the National Agricultural Development Fund, aimed at boosting food production and strengthening agricultural output nationwide.
The intervention will see 80,640 bags of NPK fertiliser distributed to 20,160 farmers in Niger, Benue, Nasarawa and Kwara states under the Farm Input Support Programme.
Speaking at the launch of the scheme in Niger State, Executive Secretary of the Fund, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, said the programme was created to improve farmers’ access to quality agricultural inputs at affordable rates and increase productivity across key crop value chains.
According to him, the initiative supports the Federal Government’s broader agenda of positioning agriculture as a major contributor to economic growth, employment generation and national development.
He explained that beneficiaries were carefully selected through a verification process to ensure that support reaches active farmers cultivating crops considered important to food security and economic expansion.
Ibrahim noted that the programme is focused on achieving measurable results rather than simply distributing fertiliser. He stated that farmers in each participating state were selected based on the comparative advantages of their areas and the crops with the highest production potential.
Under the programme, farmers in Niger State will receive support for rice, maize and yam cultivation, while beneficiaries in Benue State will focus on rice, yam and soybean production.
The NADF boss also disclosed that all fertiliser supplied under the scheme was produced locally. He added that each bag is traceable and marked with a clear inscription indicating that it is not for commercial sale, a measure introduced to prevent diversion and ensure transparency.
He further revealed that the agency has established a monitoring system to assess the impact of the intervention through regular evaluation of farm productivity, crop yields and overall performance of beneficiaries.
“The true measure of success will be reflected in the harvests recorded by participating farmers in the months ahead,” he said, while urging beneficiaries to use the inputs strictly for agricultural purposes.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State described the programme as evidence of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to agricultural development and food security. He said providing farmers with essential inputs remains one of the most effective strategies for increasing food production and improving rural livelihoods.
The governor commended the National Agricultural Development Fund for its continued contribution to agricultural development through programmes designed to improve productivity and create economic opportunities within rural communities.
Also speaking, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the intervention comes at a critical period when farmers are preparing for the planting season and demand for fertiliser is at its peak.
He explained that the Fund was established to undertake targeted interventions capable of addressing specific challenges within the agricultural sector and disclosed that similar programmes would be extended to other states as part of efforts to enhance national food production and achieve greater food self-sufficiency.
