The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has commenced the distribution of 80,640 bags of free fertiliser to 20,160 smallholder farmers in the South-South geopolitical zone.
The initiative is under the Fund’s Farm Input Support Programme (FISP), which reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity, reducing production costs, and strengthening national food security.
Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday. He was represented by the Fund’s Head of Investment Department, Mr. Olalekan Alabi.
At the unveiling ceremony in Calabar on Saturday, Ibrahim listed the benefiting states as Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta, and Edo.
He described the intervention as a demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to agriculture under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“FISP is a targeted intervention designed to ensure fertiliser reaches verified farmers cultivating priority food crops at the right time.
“Agriculture should be measured by higher yields, improved market access and the impact it makes on people’s lives.
“We are distributing 515,720 bags of fertiliser nationwide. In the South-South, each participating state will receive 20,160 bags for 5,040 registered farmers, with every beneficiary getting four bags,” he said.
Ibrahim said all fertiliser supplied under the programme is manufactured in Nigeria, fully subsidised, traceable, and clearly marked “Not for Sale” to prevent diversion.
He added that every bag is linked to a verified beneficiary through validation and duplication screening, while monitoring partners will assess productivity after the farming season.
The Fund will deploy over 1,800 Extension Advisory Workers nationwide next month, with 30 officers assigned to each state. NADF is also finalising a Harmonised Fertiliser Recommendations Manual for Crops in Nigeria to provide farmers with scientifically backed guidelines.
Ibrahim quoted the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, as saying the intervention demonstrates the Federal Government’s determination to close Nigeria’s agricultural productivity gap. He described it as “one programme that delivers three gains: support for the farmer, increased demand for local fertiliser producers, and improved food security for the nation.”
Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River commended the Federal Government and NADF for prioritising smallholder farmers, describing them as the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural economy.
Represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, Governor Otu said the intervention aligned with the state’s People First Agenda and assured transparency in the distribution process.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development in Cross River, Mr. Johnson Ebokpo, said the programme complements the state’s agricultural initiatives, including the distribution of subsidised mini tractors, improved seedlings, quality seeds, and farmer capacity-building programmes.
