NADF unveils farm input support for 20,160 farmers

NADF unveils farm input support for 20,160 farmers

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) unveils its Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) to provide subsidised fertiliser to 20,160 smallholder farmers across the North-Central region.

The Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this on Wednesday during the programme’s inauguration in Minna, Niger State.

He said the initiative was part of the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen food security and boost agricultural productivity under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to Ibrahim, the programme will provide 80,640 bags of subsidised NPK fertiliser to farmers in Niger, Benue, Nasarawa and Kwara states, targeting priority food crops to increase yields, reduce production costs and improve food supply.

He noted that FISP is a strategic intervention aimed at addressing one of the major challenges facing farmers; access to quality and affordable farm inputs.

Ibrahim said the programme marked another milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to increase domestic food production, strengthen agricultural value chains and improve food affordability.

He added that the initiative aligns with President Tinubu’s vision of transforming agriculture into a key driver of economic growth, job creation and national development.

“The programme is deliberately structured to ensure that support reaches genuine farmers cultivating crops that are critical to food security and economic growth.

“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, at the right time.

“Our focus is to boost productivity, improve farm output and support a more stable food market,” he said.

Ibrahim said NADF identified priority crops in each participating state based on comparative advantage and production potential.

He said the programme would support the cultivation of rice, maize and yam in Niger State, while farmers in Benue State would benefit from support for rice, yam and soybean production.

According to him, all fertilisers supplied under the programme are locally produced, fully traceable and clearly branded “Not for Sale” to prevent diversion and ensure accountability.

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He said the fund had also put in place a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track productivity, yield improvements and the overall impact of the intervention.

“The real success of this programme will not be measured by today’s ceremony but by what happens on the farms in the coming months.

“We are committed to tracking results and using evidence to strengthen future interventions,” he said.

Ibrahim urged beneficiaries to use the fertiliser responsibly and strictly for its intended purpose, noting that farmers remained critical partners in Nigeria’s quest for sustainable food security.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, said the programme reflected the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling food insecurity through increased support for farmers.

He said the intervention was timely, coming at the onset of the rainy season when demand for fertiliser is highest.

“NADF, an agency under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, is designed to implement targeted interventions of this nature in the agricultural sector.

“Similar interventions will be implemented in other states as part of broader efforts to stimulate agricultural production and enhance food sovereignty,” he said.

Niger Governor, Mohammed Bago, commended President Tinubu for his commitment to agricultural transformation.

Bago described the intervention as a practical demonstration of the President’s determination to achieve food security and economic prosperity through strategic investments in agriculture.

“Empowering smallholder farmers with critical inputs remains one of the most effective ways to increase food production, improve rural livelihoods and strengthen agricultural value chains.

“I appreciate the leadership of NADF for its consistent support to Nigeria’s agricultural revolution through targeted, innovative and impact-driven programmes that directly benefit farmers and rural communities.

“NADF has continued to play a vital role in advancing the country’s food security objectives by supporting initiatives that enhance productivity, stimulate economic activities and create opportunities across the agricultural sector,” he said.