The Nigerian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers with essential farm inputs to boost agricultural production and ensure food security across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Sabi, stated this during the flag-off of the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) for smallholder farmers in the North-Central zone, held in Minna, Niger State.
The Minister said the programme is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at increasing food production and strengthening food security nationwide.
According to him, supporting smallholder farmers remains critical to achieving the country’s food security goals, as they contribute significantly to agricultural production.
Abdullahi Sabi explained that the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), an agency under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, was established to provide support for farmers through collaboration with state governments.
He described Niger State as one of the leading examples of agricultural transformation under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The programme, implemented through the NADF, is designed to support 20,160 smallholder farmers in Niger, Benue, Nasarawa and Kwara States with 80,640 bags of NPK fertiliser.
In his remarks, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, commended President Tinubu for his commitment to achieving food sovereignty in Nigeria.
He described the intervention as timely and capable of significantly increasing agricultural productivity.
Governor Bago said agriculture remains the most sustainable path to economic growth and food security, adding that Niger State is targeting the production of 2.5 million metric tonnes of grains this year.
He noted that the state’s vast arable land and high level of agricultural mechanisation make it an ideal location for the programme.
According to him, the provision of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides will further enhance food production in the state.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Development Fund, Mohammed Ibrahim, described the programme as another practical step towards achieving the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the areas of food security, productivity and inclusive economic growth.
He explained that the fertiliser distribution initiative was designed to ensure that farm inputs reach genuine farmers, reduce production costs, improve access to quality fertiliser and increase crop yields, thereby strengthening food supply across the country.
Mohammed Ibrahim also commended Governor Bago for his achievements in the agricultural sector, describing them as remarkable.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Niger Foods, Sammy Adigun, praised President Tinubu and Governor Bago for their continued support to farmers.
He disclosed that the Niger State Government has provided mechanised farming equipment and subsidised fertiliser to farmers to boost food production.
The Niger State Commissioner for Agriculture, Isah Sidi Rijau, described the intervention as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to sustainable food sovereignty.
He noted that smallholder farmers produce about 98 per cent of the food consumed in Nigerian homes and therefore deserve continued support.
The highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the NADF and the four benefiting states for the implementation of the first phase of the programme.
Governor Umaru Bago also presented fertiliser to selected beneficiaries as a symbolic launch of the distribution exercise.
