The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), in collaboration with the Borno State Government, has launched the 2026 Rainy Season Input Distribution Programme, aimed at restoring agricultural livelihoods and improving food security for conflict-affected communities across Northeast Nigeria.
The programme was officially launched at the Gongulong Lawanti Irrigation Cluster Farm in Jere Local Government Area by Governor Umara Zulum, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani, alongside the FAO Representative in Nigeria and to ECOWAS, Hussein Gadain, and other development partners.
The intervention targets 30,000 farming households, representing about 210,000 people across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
In Borno State alone, 14,950 households in eight local government areas will benefit from the distribution of cereal, legume and vegetable seeds, as well as wet-blended NPK fertiliser.
Speaking at the event, Dr Hussein Gadain said the intervention, funded by the Governments of Norway, Switzerland and Japan, is designed to ensure farmers receive inputs early enough for the rainy season.
He noted that FAO is shifting its focus from emergency humanitarian assistance to long-term development and resilience, stressing that the organisation aims to empower farmers to become self-reliant by producing their own seeds for future farming seasons.
According to him, each input package, valued at about 82 US dollars, is capable of producing enough food to sustain a family of seven for approximately seven months, while also providing surplus produce for sale to improve household incomes.
Read Also: Nigeria Launches South-East Farming Support Program
Dr Gadain added that farmers are also being trained through Farmer Field Schools, where they learn improved farming techniques and climate-smart agricultural practices to boost productivity and strengthen resilience against future shocks.
Governor Zulum expressed appreciation to FAO and its funding partners for supporting the recovery of communities affected by years of insurgency.
He commended the organisation for its continued investment in agriculture, food security and nutrition, while urging beneficiaries to make effective use of the farming inputs and other support provided.
Tijani also encouraged farmers to embrace self-sufficiency by using the assistance as a foundation for sustainable agricultural production and long-term economic independence.
