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…As FG supports 20,160 smallholder farmers with fertiliser
Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has flagged off the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) for the North Central region, aimed at strengthening agricultural productivity and supporting smallholder farmers.
The flag-off ceremony, held in Minna on Wednesday under the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), will benefit 20,160 smallholder farmers across Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kwara States with the distribution of 80,640 bags of NPK fertiliser.
Governor Umaru Bago, while commending the foresight and commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu towards achieving food sovereignty for the nation, described the intervention as timely and impactful, noting that it would significantly enhance agricultural production and improve farmers’ livelihoods.
The Governor reiterated that agriculture remains a sustainable pathway for economic growth, disclosing that Niger State is targeting an increase in grain production to 2.5 million metric tonnes this year.
He noted that Niger State’s vast arable land and status as the state with the highest level of mechanisation in Nigeria made it a strategic choice for the implementation of the programme.
According to him, with improved access to agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, herbicides, pesticides, and modern farm equipment, the state is positioned to maximise its agricultural potential and contribute meaningfully to national food security.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Sabi, said the programme was in fulfilment of President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring food security in Nigeria.
He stressed the importance of supporting smallholder farmers, who play a critical role in national food production, adding that the National Agricultural Development Fund was established to provide broad-based support to farmers in collaboration with state governments.
The Minister identified Niger State as one of the leading examples of the agricultural transformation agenda being pursued by the Federal Government.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mohammed Ibrahim, said the initiative represents another practical step under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in advancing food security, agricultural productivity, and inclusive economic growth.
He explained that the fertiliser distribution programme was designed to ensure that inputs reach the right farmers and are applied to the right crops, with the objectives of reducing production costs, improving access to quality fertiliser, increasing yield per hectare, and strengthening food supply chains.
While acknowledging the significant strides recorded by Governor Bago in the agricultural sector, Mohammed Ibrahim praised the Niger State Government’s commitment to transforming agriculture.
The Niger State Commissioner for Agriculture, Isah Sidi Rijau, described the intervention as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to sustainable food sovereignty.
He noted that the programme focuses on small-scale farmers, who contribute significantly to the nation’s food supply by producing a large percentage of the food consumed by Nigerian households.
The Chairman of Niger Foods, Mr. Sammy Adigun, appreciated President Tinubu and Governor Bago for their continued support for farmers, revealing that the Niger State Government has provided agricultural machinery for mechanised farming and subsidised fertilisers to support farmers across the state.
The event featured the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the NADF and the four beneficiary states for the implementation of the first phase of the Farm Input Support Programme, as well as the symbolic presentation of fertilisers to beneficiaries by the Niger State Governor.
