• Kaduna, Nasarawa offer better hope
By Noah Ebije (Kaduna), John Adams (Minna), Emmanuel Adeyemi (Lokoja), Agaju Madugba (Katsina)
The late start of the rains in the northern parts of the country has expectedly raised concerns about the country experiencing food scarcity in the coming year.
People in the major farming communities have had to delay commencement of wet season farming, which it is believed will affect the yield of the staple food crops like maize, rice, and yam. Tied to this will be disruptions in the supply of these staples to the markets, leading to rise in prices of foodstuff.
Coupled with this is the stark menace of insecurity in the food baskets of the country like Benue and Niger states.
Sunday Sun correspondents in states present situation reports.
KADUNA
In Kaduna State, the administration of Governor Uba Sani has continued to demonstrate its commitment to ensuring that farmers get adequate support to produce food and commercial crops. More than 500 trucks of free fertilizers have been distributed to verified smallholder farmers under the Agricultural Input Supply Support (AISS) in the state.
The Commissioner of Agriculture, Alhaji Murtala Dabo said the gesture was the largest agricultural input support programme in the state’s history, which is meant to boost the productivity of farmers and also guarantee food security.
The agriculture support programme known in Hausa language as ‘Tallafin Noma’ means ‘go back to farm. Under the programme, 69,000 smallholder farmers were supported with quality maize seeds and agrochemicals during the rain-fed season.
‘’In addition, Kaduna State Government distributed free agricultural implements and inputs to cooperatives, comprising 18 horsepower tiller, 18 horsepower 3-inch solar-powered irrigation pumping machine, a 13 horsepower 2-inch solar-powered water irrigation machine, and a gasoline powered water irrigation pump to each cooperative group to boost year-round farming.
‘’Each cooperative was also given 30 bags of Urea and NPK fertilisers, one motorised knapsack sprayer, one carton of herbicide and another carton of pesticide,” Dabo said.
The Commissioner said further: “Under macro-mechanisation, we have procured a fleet of tractors to enhance mechanisation. A new public-private partnership framework has been developed to operationalise these tractors via revived mechanisation hubs.’’
According to him, the scheme would be purely private sector-driven, but the tractors would be hired to farmers at highly subsidised rates so that the model will be sustainable.
Dabo said that revenue accruing from these private operators will be used to acquire more tractors,’’ pointing out that “there will be a penetration of this mechanisation to all nooks and crannies of the state over the years.’’
NIGER
For a decade now, farmers in Niger State have lost their peace due to the unending activities of bandits in parts of the state.
The farmers have not only been chased away from their farms, majority of them have abandoned their ancestral homes. Only few ones who entered into agreement with the gunmen because they have nowhere to go are the ones left behind. They live under strict conditions imposed by the bandits.
Before the banditry started in the northern parts of the country, Niger State was one of the food baskets of the country. It was the most affordable source of food items in the entire northern states. For instance, food items like yam, maize, beans, rice, soya beans and lately cassava were being farmed in large and commercial quantities. The horrendous activities of the bandits and other insurgents have greatly affected farming activities have dropped by about 50 percent in the state due to the security challenges bedeviling parts of the state. The affected farmers have resorted to subsistence farming, to keep their immediate families going.
For the past 10 years, 12 out of the 25 local government areas of the state have been under the control of bandits. It is these same local government areas that account for about 70 percent of food production in the state.
For instance, seven out of the nine local government areas of Niger East Senatorial District comprising Shiroro, Munya, Rafi, Paikoro, Gurara, Bosso and Tafa have not known peace for over 10 years due to the activities of the bandits and terrorists.
The situation is also true of Mariga, Kontagora, Mashegun, Wushishi, Rijau and Magama local government areas,which are all located in Niger North Senatorial Distric. They all face constant attacks
A farmer, Moses Dauda, from Galkogo, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state who relocated to Zumba community as a result of incessant attacks by bandits told our correspondent that he no longer farms for commercial purposes but just to keep his immediate family going.
He disclosed that before he was forced to relocate with his family to Zumba, he used to earn between N5 million and N7 million every year after harvesting of his crops, adding that for the past five years he had only been farming to feed just his family.
“This thing I am telling you is applicable to a lot of farmers in my community. The thieves (bandits) have chased every farmer from the village, who ran away for fear of being kidnapped or sometimes killed.”
Former commissioner for Information Culture and Tourism and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, Jonathan Vatsa opined that until the security challenge in parts of the state is addressed, farming activities, be it dry season farming or rainy season farming will greatly suffer.
He said: “When the farmers are being chased away from their homes by bandits, who will do the farming? The security situation in the state does not give room for meaningful farming and so by implication, it will affect prices of food items. Niger State before now used to be the food basket of the nation but these enemies of the people have frustrated the farmers.”
Vatsa,however, believed that with the state government agricultural revolution programme, things will begin to change for the better “because the present administration has promised to tackle the issue of insecurity in the state to pave for massive cultivation of the vast lands across the state,” he added.
But with the continued onslaught by the bandits, the government’s agricultural revolution faces a serious challenge.
In the past one month, communities have witnessed unrelenting attacks by bandits with scores of villagers abducted. The most recent was the attack on military camps at Gulbin Boka and Kwanan Duse in Mariga LGA where about 20 soldiers were killed.
Before the attacks in Gulbin Boka and Kwanan Duse, the terrorists launched an attack on some communities in Rafi LGA of the state, where no fewer than 122, including women and children were abducted.
The member representing Rafi State Constituency in the House of Assembly, Hon. Zubairu Ismaila Zana had recently raised the alarm over the escalation of the bandits’ activities in his constituency on the floor of the assembly.
He described the situation as very dangerous and pathetic, saying that the people have been forced to abandon their homes and farming activities.
“If the situation is not urgently addressed, there is likelihood of the outbreak of hunger amongst the people,” he said.
KOGI
Rainfall in Kogi is still scanty though the year has crossed the half year point. This has caused farm yields to be little during harvest time.
Ajayi Gabriel, a farmer in Lokoja said the rains did not come as it should be, noting that in some cases in Lokoja, its environs and parts of the state rain may not fall for two weeks and when it does, it is scarcely enough.
Although a source close to the Ministry of Agriculture said early this year that the govt provided some incentives to farmers, but one of officers of the All farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, who identified himself as Dirisu complained of lack of fertilizers, insecticides and loans for farmers.
According to him, in some states farmers were given soft loans but he said nothing like that was done for those in Kogi.
He also complained that the little assistance given to farmers did not go to the real farmers but to politicians who hijacked it.
Also speaking, Titus Ojo, a farmer said the government is not encouraging farmers enough with implements, seedlings, pesticides and fertilizers and said these are contributory factors to food scarcity.
He also expressed grave concern over Fulani herders who have invaded the farmlands denying farmers access to their farms. He called on the government to do something about the level of insecurity in the state.
KATSINA
Hajiya Shamsiyya Muhammad is one of several farmers in Katsina who cannot afford the luxury of dry season farming, due to lack of irrigation facilities including water sources to power the farms. With prolonged dry season from October to late April this year, Hajiya prayed for rainfall to enable her plant groundnut and beans in her farm at Batagarawa in Batagarawa Local Government Area. The first time rain fell, it was just a drizzle on April 15. She headed to the farm and sowed the seeds. Unfortunately for her, the scanty rainfall was followed by month-long intense dryness and heat until May 30 when the rains eventually came.
Recalling the experience, Hajiya saikd: “God finally blessed us with significant rainfall. Our crops had started to dry up, but with God’s mercy, the rain came and we were able to plant again.
“Since the beginning of the rainy season during the Sallah festival, we had three days of rain and planted our crops. After that, we didn’t get any more rain for some time, just a few drops here and there. It was only yesterday that God finally blessed us with significant rainfall. Our crops had started to dry up, but with God’s mercy, the rain came and we were able to plant again. We had to replant when we got some rain.
“Honestly, no government has helped us in our farming activities. We just try our best, struggling on our own to figure out how to plant and survive. No organization or government has come forward to support us.
“I am appealing to the government, asking for support, be it fertilizer or help in digging wells for irrigation. We also need pesticides and insecticides to protect our crops from pests. Honestly, we haven’t received anything. In our area, we haven’t gotten any form of support.”
NASARAWA
Rainy season farming has fully commenced in Nasarawa State, with the state government and development partners rolling out extensive support to farmers across various local government areas.
Governor Abdullahi Sule officially flagged off the 2025 wet season farming activities at the Government Farm in AyarKeke, Obi Local Government Area, by personally participating in rice planting alongside local farmers.
Speaking during the exercise, Governor Sule said agriculture remains a top priority of his administration. “This is our new crude oil. We are committed to ensuring that every support required to boost food production reaches the hands of genuine farmers,” the governor said.
In addition to the symbolic flag-off, the state government, through the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) Project, recently distributed over 25 tractors, improved seedlings, fertilizers, irrigation pumps, power tillers, and cash grants to thousands of farmers across the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Water Resources, Hon. Umar Tanko Tunga, while addressing journalists in Lafia, confirmed the distribution, noting that over 2,500 farmers benefited from the ACReSAL intervention. He said the project was implemented with World Bank support to enhance climate-smart agriculture and increase yields.
“In Nasarawa State, we are ahead of the curve. Inputs have reached the beneficiaries at the right time and the farmers are already planting across the state,” she said.
Non-governmental organizations have also contributed significantly to the 2025 farming season. The One Acre Fund, a global agricultural support agency, provided subsidized maize seeds, fertilizers, and agrochemicals to over 16,000 farmers in six local governments, including Lafia, Doma, Akwanga, Obi, Wamba, and Nasarawa Eggon.
A representative of the One Acre Fund in Nasarawa, Mr. Audu Emmanuel, said the intervention aims to improve smallholder productivity. “We are glad that this year’s farming season is progressing well. Our input packages reached the farmers on time, and we’re expecting good results,” he noted.
Farmers who benefited from the scheme have expressed satisfaction. One of the beneficiaries, Sarkin Noma of Nasarawa Eggon LGA, Mr. Usman Aliyu, said the early distribution of inputs was a game changer.
“This year is different. The seeds, fertilizers, and chemicals came early. I have already planted my maize and we are hopeful of a better harvest,” Aliyu told The Sunday Sun.
Similarly, the Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) has distributed input kits to no fewer than 9,000 farmers, with training and follow-up support to encourage the adoption of modern farming practices.
In a press release, SAA Country Director, Dr. Godwin Atser, said: “Our target is to reach 45,000 farmers in 2025. In Nasarawa State alone, 9,000 have already received inputs, and we are training extension agents to support them throughout the season.”
A visit to farmlands in Awe, Keana, and Kokona LGAs by Sunday Sun revealed busy farm activities with many farmers cultivating maize, rice, sesame, and millet. Most of them confirmed they had started planting as early as mid-June, due to consistent rainfall patterns and timely support from both government and private actors.
As of the time of filing this report, there were no complaints of delayed rainfall or unmet input demands in most parts of the state, indicating a smooth and promising farming season.
GOMBE
As the 2025 rainy season unfolds across Gombe State, early indicators present a mixed outlook for farmers. While initial rains arrived later than usual, sustaining crop planting activities across key local government areas, inconsistent rainfall patterns and rising cost of input continue to pose significant risks to farmer’s resilience and food production in the state.
Some farmers in Yamaltu Deba, Akko, and Dukku Local Government Areas (LGAs) have raised concerns over the erratic rainfall and the high cost of inputs, adding that affordability of the implements has been a major bottleneck triggering fears among smallholder farmers.
“The prices of fertilizers, herbicides, and improved seedlings have remained prohibitively high in Gombe markets. Many of our farmers have resorted to reducing the acreage cultivated while some have turned to other traditional methods,” Malam Ibrahim Rilwan, a farmer in Lawanti community in Akko LGA told Sunday Sun, adding that the trend is threatening to limit productivity of most farmers in the area.
On his part, Hassan Muhammad another farmer in Dukku LGA disclosed that the fear of stunted growth and yield shortfalls, particularly for early-planted crops is visibly etched on the faces several farmers in the area as the climate variability is altering their planting cycles.
On the policy front, the Gombe State government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers by complementing efforts of the federal government to ensure food security in the state and the country. On June 26, 2025 the Gombe State governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, flagged off the sales and distribution of subsidized fertilizer for the 2025 wet farming season.
During the launch of the 10,000 metric tonnes of the farming commodity, the governor stated that the initiative aims to boost agricultural productivity and that it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda on food security and inclusive economic growth.
Governor Yahaya emphasized that over 80 percent of Gombe’s population are engaged in farming and reiterated his administration’s ongoing support for the sector. He announced that the fertilizer which is currently being sold for N53,000 per bag at the open market, will be sold at a subsidized rate of N27,000, reinforcing the government’s commitment to making agriculture more accessible and affordable for farmers.
“I would like to assure you that we shall ensure that the fertilizer reaches the grassroots by strengthening the fertilizer sales monitoring system. I have directed the Ministry of Agriculture, security agencies, and civil society organizations to closely monitor the sales and distribution to the farmers so as to prevent against diversion and ensure that the fertilizer reaches the correct beneficiaries,” the Governor stated.
However, despite the governor’s intervention and directive for equitable allocation and distribution of the fertilizer, implementation remains an issue as several farmers in rural areas are yet to benefit from the intervention programs.
“Yes, we have seen and heard about the launching of the sales of the fertilizer, but we are still yet to see it or have a touch. We commend the governor for the provision of the fertilizer, I think the government needs to do more by ensuring timely provision of fertilizer, they should also provide other inputs and extension services,” Abdullahi Masi, a farmer in Deba community of Yamaltu/Deba LGA said, adding that fertilizer and other inputs should be made available to farmers in March or earlier to encourage and motivate the farmers ahead.
While the 2025 wet season farming window in Gombe offers cautious optimism, unless issues around climate resilience, access to input and policy delivery are addressed, the state’s quest for food security may remain elusive, according to William Sansom, a farmer in Tumfure community.
He urged the state government to consider more strategic investments in climate-smart agriculture and inclusive value chain financing to transform seasonal farming into a growth engine for livelihoods.