…as 128,930 smallholder farmers in 25 States, FCT benefit

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – IN a quest to change the narrative in food production, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Tuesday, flagged off the nationwide distribution of 515,720 bags under the National Agricultural Development Fund’s Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme, FISP.

The fertilisers, which include Urea and NPK, were distributed to 128,930 smallholder farmers across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT. 

Shettima who was represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, in Abuja described the intervention as a major step towards boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening food security and improving farmers’ livelihoods in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

He also explained that the 11,210 bags of fertiliser would be distributed to 2,930 registered farmers in the FCT, which he emphasized that the FISP focuses on smallholder farmers who cultivate less than 0.5 hectares of land, and are the backbone of Nigeria’s food systems.

The Federal Government said the programme would be closely monitored to ensure transparency, accountability and measurable impact on farm productivity, food supply and rural livelihoods, as efforts to achieve national food security gather momentum.

He said: “The provision of 515,720 bags of urea and NPK fertilisers to 128,930 smallholder farmers underscores this administration’s resolve to uplift our farmers and enhance agricultural productivity.”

However, the Vice President stressed that the distribution process of the fertilisers should be transparent and accountable, which he said stakeholders should ensure the inputs get to the targeted beneficiaries, especially, women, youths and vulnerable farmers.

Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, in his remarks maintained that the intervention is being implemented at a critical stage of the farming season in order to reduce cost of production incurred by smallholder farmers, upscale yields, and strengthen national food supply.

He noted that the Farm Input Support Programme, FISP, is a well-designed intervention to drive the right inputs’ distribution to real and rightful farmers at the right time for food production as it is doing now.

According to the NADF boss, all fertilisers distributed under the scheme are locally produced, traceable and clearly marked “Not for Sale” to ensure accountability.

“Food security is not a side issue. It is a national priority. It is central to economic stability, rural prosperity, job creation and the well-being of the Nigerian household”, he stated.

Also, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture Production and Services, Hon. Bello Kaoje, in a remark described the initiative as a direct anti-hunger measure that would boost food production, stabilise food prices and support inclusive economic growth.