By Peter Egwuatu

Smallholder farmers in Taraba State have been urged to maximise the opportunities provided under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Programme to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.

The call was made as the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), in partnership with Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited, flagged off the distribution of farm inputs for the 2026 farming season in Jalingo.

The programme, financed by the Bank of Agriculture through Farmers Aggregation Companies (FACs), provides smallholder farmers with essential agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, agrochemicals and improved high-yield seedlings, to enhance production and improve livelihoods.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony through the Bank’s North-East Zonal Head of Finance, Hajiya Hauwa Sule Garba, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, Mr. Ayo Sotinrin, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting farmers as a key strategy for achieving national food security, rural prosperity and sustainable economic growth.

He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs, stressing that increased agricultural productivity would demonstrate the impact of government support.

“Investing in farmers is investing in Nigeria’s future. Today, we have a government and an institution genuinely committed to the success of rural farmers. This support comes with responsibility. Farm with everything you have. Apply these inputs correctly, and let your harvest demonstrate that when Nigerian farmers receive the right support, they deliver exceptional results,” he said.

The Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Programme is expected to benefit two million smallholder farmers nationwide, with plans to distribute more than 10 million bags of fertiliser.

According to the Bank of Agriculture, over 200,000 farmers have already been financed across the country, while more than 1.1 million bags of fertiliser and 16,470 metric tonnes of improved seeds have been distributed.

In Taraba State, the bank said more than 15,000 farmers are benefiting from the programme through Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited.

The Emir of Jalingo, Alhaji Tukur Abba Tukur, commended the Federal Government and the Bank of Agriculture for extending the initiative to Taraba State, noting that many of the beneficiaries are rural women whose participation would contribute to increased food production and improved household incomes.

He urged beneficiaries to use the inputs for their intended purpose, warning against diversion and stressing that the programme would be closely monitored to ensure it achieves its objectives.

“We in Jalingo and across Taraba State are delighted that the Federal Government, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, has remembered our people with this remarkable intervention aimed at supporting genuine farmers. We are confident our farmers will reciprocate this gesture with hard work and bumper harvests. We sincerely appreciate Mr. President for this thoughtful initiative,” the Emir said.

Also speaking, the Taraba State Lead for Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited and Project Coordinator in Jalingo, Mr. Iliyasu Mustapha, emphasised that accountability and transparency among beneficiaries would be critical to the programme’s long-term success.

He assured that the company would ensure the inputs reach genuine farmers across the state.

In addition to supplying farm inputs, the programme also provides participating farmers with access to reliable off-takers, guaranteeing markets for their produce and improving their income prospects.