Follow Us on Google
From Okwe Obi, Abuja
The Federal Government has intensified efforts to close the food production gap in the South-South by distributing subsidised fertilisers, irrigation pumps and other farm inputs to thousands of smallholder farmers across Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo and Rivers states.
The intervention, unveiled in Calabar, Cross River State, forms part of the Federal Government’s strategy to improve agricultural productivity, lower production costs and strengthen national food security through targeted support for farmers.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the initiative is designed not only to boost food production but also to stimulate demand for locally manufactured fertilisers and support the country’s drive towards food self-sufficiency.
Represented by the ministry’s State Coordinator, Sampson Maddy George, the minister said the programme demonstrates the government’s commitment to building a more resilient agricultural sector.
“One programme delivers three gains: support for the farmer, increased demand for local fertiliser producers and improved food security for the nation,” he said.
Kyari noted that the intervention builds on the FISP-AgGrow-1 Programme launched in 2025 and aligns with the Federal Government’s renewed push for food sovereignty following President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security in July 2023.
He stressed that ensuring balanced agricultural development across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones remains a priority, with the South-South receiving targeted support to enhance food production capacity.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed that 80,640 bags of fully subsidised fertiliser are being distributed to 20,160 smallholder farmers in the South-South under the Farm Input Support Programme (FISP).
Represented by the Head of the Fund’s Investment Department, Olalekan Alabi, Ibrahim said the programme reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting genuine farmers cultivating priority food crops.
According to him, the nationwide initiative will benefit 128,930 verified smallholder farmers through the distribution of 515,720 bags of fertiliser.
He explained that each of the participating South-South states will receive 20,160 bags of fertiliser for 5,040 registered farmers, with every beneficiary allocated four bags free of charge.
Ibrahim emphasised that the intervention is not a general fertiliser distribution programme but a carefully targeted initiative aimed at ensuring that verified farmers receive the right inputs at the appropriate time during the farming season.
“FISP is not a blanket intervention. It is targeted support designed to get fertiliser to the right farmers, for the right crops and at the right time. Agriculture should be measured by higher yields, improved market access and the impact it makes on people’s lives,” he said.
He added that all fertiliser supplied under the programme is manufactured in Nigeria, fully subsidised, traceable and clearly labelled “Not for Sale” to discourage diversion.
According to him, each bag has been linked to a verified beneficiary through a comprehensive validation process involving identity verification, duplication screening and proper documentation. Independent monitoring and evaluation partners, he added, will assess the programme’s impact on farm productivity after the cultivation season.
Other News
The NADF boss further announced plans to deploy more than 1,800 Extension Advisory Workers nationwide in July, with 30 officers assigned to each state to provide technical support and advisory services to farmers.
He also revealed that the Fund is finalising a harmonised fertiliser recommendation manual for crops in Nigeria to provide farmers with scientifically backed guidelines on fertiliser application.
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, commended the Federal Government and the NADF for prioritising smallholder farmers, describing them as the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural economy.
Represented by the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, the governor said the intervention aligns with the state’s People First Agenda and pledged transparency to ensure that the farm inputs reach genuine beneficiaries.
He also highlighted the state’s investments in agricultural mechanisation, improved inputs, extension services and strategic value chains, urging farmers to maximise the opportunity by using the fertiliser judiciously to increase yields and improve household incomes.
Earlier, the Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, said the Federal Government’s intervention complements the state’s ongoing agricultural programmes, including the distribution of subsidised mini tractors, improved seedlings, quality seeds and farmer training initiatives.
Ebokpo expressed confidence that stronger collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, development partners and farmer associations would significantly improve productivity, raise rural incomes and contribute to achieving sustainable food security across the country.
Under the South-south phase, he said Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Edo states would each receive 20,160 bags for distribution to 5,040 registered farmers, with every beneficiary allocated four bags of fertiliser.
He stressed that all the fertiliser supplied under the programme was manufactured locally, fully subsidised, traceable and clearly marked “Not for Sale” to prevent diversion.
According to him, every bag had been linked to a verified beneficiary through validation, duplication screening and proper documentation, while independent monitoring and evaluation partners will assess the programme’s impact on farm productivity after the farming season.
The NADF boss further announced plans to deploy more than 1,800 Extension Advisory Workers nationwide next month, with 30 officers assigned to each state to provide technical support to farmers.
He added that the Fund is also finalising a Harmonised Fertiliser Recommendations Manual for Crops in Nigeria to provide farmers with scientifically validated fertiliser application guidelines.
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, commended the Federal Government and NADF for prioritising smallholder farmers, describing them as the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural economy.
Represented by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, the governor assured that the state government would ensure transparency in the distribution process so that the fertiliser reaches genuine beneficiaries, while urging farmers to utilise the inputs judiciously to improve yields and incomes.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mr. Sampson George, who represented the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the initiative would simultaneously support farmers, stimulate demand for locally produced fertiliser and strengthen national food security.
He noted that the intervention builds on the FISP-AgGrow-1 Programme launched in 2025 and aligns with the Federal Government’s broader objective of attaining food sovereignty following the declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security.
