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By Rita Iliya
The Federal government on Wednesday inaugurated the distribution of 80,640 bags of NPK fertiliser to 20,160 smallholder farmers across the North-Central zone.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme was under the Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).
At the event, Sen. Aliyu Sabi, Minister of State for Agriculture, said the initiative underscored the Federal Government’s commitment to fulfilling its declaration of a state of emergency on food security.
“Farming is the source of prosperity. The President promised that Nigeria will produce what it eats and eats what it produces.
“NADF was established to drive interventions that will make that vision a reality,” he said.
He described Niger as a key partner in the implementation of the Federal Government’s food security agenda and assured farmers that similar interventions would be extended across the country.
Sabi urged Nigerians, particularly young people, to embrace agriculture as a viable pathway to economic prosperity.
Also speaking, Gov. Umar Bago of Niger, commended President Bola Tinubu for prioritising food sufficiency and supporting farmers through timely agricultural interventions.
He also lauded NADF for ensuring that fertiliser reached farmers ahead of the planting season.
The governor said Niger was targeting the production of 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 fertilisers, noting that the inputs were being distributed free.
In his remarks, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, Executive Secretary of NADF, said the intervention was part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Tinubu.
Ibrahim said it was aimed at strengthening food security, increasing agricultural productivity and supporting inclusive economic growth.
He said the programme would support 20,160 farmers in Niger, Benue, Nasarawa and Kwara states with a total of 80,640 bags of subsidised NPK fertiliser.
According to him, the fertilisers were locally produced, traceable and clearly marked “Not for Sale” to ensure they reach intended beneficiaries.
“FISP is not fertiliser distribution for the sake of distribution, it is targeted support designed to get fertiliser to the right farmers, for the right crops and at the right time.
“The objective is to reduce production costs, improve access to quality fertiliser, increase yield per hectare and strengthen food supply in the market,” he said.
He added that every bag of fertiliser had been linked to verified farmers through a transparent beneficiary validation process to prevent diversion and duplication.
The NADF boss said that the programme would also be monitored to assess its impact on productivity and food production outcomes.
According to him, the intervention focuses on supporting food price stability, improving smallholder farmers’ productivity and generating data for future agricultural support programmes.
Also speaking, Alhaji Isah Sidi-Rijau, Commissioner for Agriculture in Niger, described the initiative as timely and strategic for enhancing agricultural productivity in the region.
Earlier, Mr Mohammed Magaji, the National President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), lauded the Federal government, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and NADF for the intervention.
He said that the provision of quality fertiliser would boost crop yields, improve farmers’ incomes and strengthen food security nationwide.
Magaji pledged AFAN’s continued collaboration with the Federal Government and NADF to advance agricultural development in the country.
In their separate remarks, Dr Benjamin Ashaver, Olohuntoyosi Adebayo and Umar Tanko-Tunga, Commissioners for Agriculture in Benue, Kwara and Nasarawa respectively, underscored the importance of strengthening collaboration among states to enhance agricultural productivity and food security.
Highpoint of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and the formal handover of fertiliser consignments to representatives of beneficiary states and farmers. (NAN)
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo /Isaac Ukpoju
