The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of subsidised fertiliser to smallholder farmers across Nigeria as part of efforts to strengthen food security and boost local agricultural production under President Bola Tinubu’s declared State of Emergency on Food Security.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, announced the initiative during the flag-off of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) fertiliser distribution exercise in Katsina State at the weekend.
Kyari described the programme as a strategic intervention aimed at increasing agricultural output, creating jobs, and improving food availability nationwide. He emphasised that sustained support for farmers is essential to reducing Nigeria’s reliance on food imports and achieving long-term food sovereignty.
“The intervention underscores the federal government’s commitment to deepening investments in agriculture, particularly at the grassroots level where smallholder farmers remain the backbone of national food production,” the minister said.
100,800 Bags for North-West Farmers
Executive Secretary and Chief Executive of NADF, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, disclosed that the Fund has begun distributing 100,800 bags of fertiliser to 25,200 smallholder farmers in five North-West states: Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, and Jigawa.
Under the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (FISP), each beneficiary farmer will receive four bags of fully subsidised fertiliser. Each of the participating states has been allocated 20,160 bags for 5,040 farmers, identified through state governments and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
The North-West rollout is part of a larger nationwide exercise targeting 515,720 bags of fertiliser for 128,930 smallholder farmers across the country.
Ibrahim noted that all fertiliser being distributed is locally produced, traceable, and clearly marked “Not for Sale” to prevent diversion. He added that the programme includes robust accountability mechanisms to ensure inputs reach genuine farmers and help reduce production costs.
The NADF plans to deploy over 1,800 extension advisory workers nationwide to provide technical guidance, improve agronomic practices, and enhance productivity across agricultural value chains.
The Fund is also supporting farmers facing specific challenges in the region, including over 5,000 ginger farmers affected by blight in Kaduna State and onion farmers impacted by flooding in Kebbi and Sokoto States.
Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, commended President Tinubu for prioritising agriculture as a key driver of economic growth and food security. He described the fertiliser distribution as a timely and strategic intervention that would boost productivity, strengthen rural livelihoods, and enhance national food security.
The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, including representatives of the governors of Kaduna and Jigawa states, federal ministers, National Assembly members, and major stakeholders in the agriculture sector.
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