The Federal Government has inaugurated the distribution of 80,640 bags of NPK fertilizer to 20,160 smallholder farmers across the North-Central zone.
The program is part of the Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) under the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).
Sen. Aliyu Sabi, Minister of State for Agriculture, inaugurated the distribution on Wednesday in Minna, emphasizing the Federal Government’s commitment to fulfilling President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on food security upon taking office in 2023.
“Farming is the path to prosperity. The President promised that Nigeria would produce what it eats and eat what it produces.
“NADF was established to drive interventions that will make that vision a reality,” he stated.
He described Niger State as a key partner in implementing the federal food security agenda and assured farmers that similar interventions would be extended nationwide.
Sabi urged Nigerians, especially young people, to see agriculture as a viable route to economic prosperity.
Also speaking, Gov. Umar Bago of Niger commended President Tinubu for prioritizing food sufficiency and supporting farmers through timely interventions.
He praised NADF for ensuring that fertilizer reached farmers before the planting season.
The governor disclosed that Niger State aims to produce about 2.5 million metric tonnes of grains this year, expressing optimism that the intervention would help curb food inflation and improve national food supply.
Bago urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the free fertilizer.
In his remarks, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of NADF, said the intervention is part of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen food security, boost agricultural productivity, and support inclusive economic growth.
He explained that the program would support 20,160 farmers in Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kwara states with a total of 80,640 bags of subsidized NPK fertilizer.
He added that the fertilizers are locally produced, traceable, and clearly marked “Not for Sale” to ensure they reach the intended beneficiaries.
“FISP is not about fertilizer distribution for its own sake; it is targeted support designed to deliver fertilizer to the right farmers, for the right crops, at the right time.
“The goal is to reduce production costs, improve access to quality fertilizer, increase yield per hectare, and strengthen food supply,” he explained.
He further stated that every bag of fertilizer has been linked to verified farmers through a transparent beneficiary validation process to prevent diversion and duplication.
The NADF chief said the program will also be monitored to evaluate its impact on productivity and food production.
He noted that the intervention aims to support food price stability, enhance smallholder farmers’ productivity, and generate data for future agricultural programs.
Additionally, Isah Sidi-Rijau, Niger’s Commissioner for Agriculture, described the initiative as timely and strategic for boosting agricultural productivity in the region.
Earlier, Mr. Mohammed Magaji, National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), praised the federal government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and NADF for the intervention.
He stated that providing quality fertilizer would increase crop yields, boost farmers’ incomes, and improve nationwide food security.
Magaji pledged AFAN’s continued collaboration with the federal government and NADF to promote agricultural development.
In separate remarks, Dr. Benjamin Ashaver, Olohuntoyosi Adebayo, and Umar Tanko-Tunga, Commissioners for Agriculture in Benue, Kwara, and Nasarawa, highlighted the importance of strengthening inter-state collaboration to enhance agricultural productivity and food security.
The event’s highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the formal handover of fertilizer consignments to representatives of beneficiary states and farmers.
