Tinubu’s food security drive gets boost as 7,000 farmers receive improved maize seeds in Nasarawa

From Abel Leonard, Lafia

In support of the federal government’s food security agenda, over 7,000 smallholder farmers across Nasarawa State have received improved maize seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides, and other farm inputs to boost agricultural productivity and tackle hunger in rural communities.

The distribution, carried out by One Acre Fund Nigeria in partnership with Seed Co Group Nigeria, was revealed during the organisation’s Annual Harvest Day celebration yesterday in Kirayi community, Lafia Local Government Area.

Speaking with journalists, the Field Execution Specialist of One Acre Fund Nigeria, Dimas Jatau, said the intervention was aimed at enhancing the livelihoods of farmers and ensuring sustainable food production in the state.

“We have about 7,000 farmers across the state who benefited from this programme,” Jatau said. “They received improved maize seeds, fertilizers, herbicides, and other inputs at subsidised rates through our soft loan scheme. The farmers pay back gradually without any interest.”

He explained that the support programme covered farmers in several local government areas, including Lafia, Nassarawa-Eggon, Wamba, and Akwanga, adding that the improved seed varieties—MAZ 719 and MAZ 651—had recorded impressive yields this season.“You can see the smiles on the faces of the farmers today. It is evidence that our ‘Farmers First’ policy is working,” he added. “We will continue to strengthen partnerships with government and traditional leaders to drive agricultural growth in Nasarawa State.”

Also speaking, the Commercial and Technical Lead of Seed Co Group Nigeria, Habeeb Lawal, emphasised that agriculture remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and the pathway to achieving food sufficiency.“

Seed Co is not just providing seeds, we are planting hope and resilience,” Lawal said. “We want farmers to produce enough to feed their families and also sell in the markets, contributing to national development.”

The Programme Manager of the Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Programme (NADP), Umar Jibrin Nuhu, commended both organisations for promoting modern farming techniques and pledged continued collaboration with the state government to fight hunger and poverty.

Beneficiaries, including Helen Jonathan and Abubakar Musa, expressed gratitude for the support, describing the intervention as life-changing and promising to increase their productivity in the coming farming season.

The colourful event featured cultural performances, award presentations to outstanding farmers, and an exhibition of maize harvests from different communities across the state.