…as 20,160 S’South smallholder farmers receive 80,640 bags

….128,930 smallholder farmers to benefit nationwide

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – WITH renewed efforts to boost food production in 2026, the National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, has flagged off subsidized fertilizer distribution under its Farm Input Support Programme, FISP, as 20,160 smallholder farmers in South-South geopolitical zone received 80,640 bags.

Speaking at the zonal launch, held in Calabar, Cross River State, where beneficiaries from Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Edo States received their fertilizers, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, represented by the Head, Investment Department, Olalekan Alabi, described the intervention as a practical demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for agriculture.

Ibrahim also explained that the FISP is designed deliberately to drive intervention focused on verified and clarified smallholder farmers in order to ensure fertiliser reaches them to enable them have the right quantity and quality for the cultivation of priority food crops at the right time.

According to him, 128,930 smallholder farmers nationwide will benefit from the programme nationwide through the distribution of 515,720 bags of fertiliser.

Meanwhile, under the South-South phase, each participating state will receive 20,160 bags for 5,040 registered farmers, with every beneficiary receiving four bags each.

He said: “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 also announced that all fertiliser supplied under the programme is manufactured in Nigeria, fully subsidised, traceable and clearly marked “Not for Sale” to prevent diversion.

According to him, every bag has been linked to a verified beneficiary through validation, duplication screening and proper documentation, while monitoring and evaluation partners will assess productivity after the farming season.

The NADF boss also said NADF the will deploy over 1,800 Extension Advisory Workers nationwide in July, 2026 with 30 officers assigned to each state.

He disclosed that NADF is finalising a Harmonised Fertilizer Recommendations Manual for Crops in Nigeria to provide farmers with scientifically backed fertiliser application guidelines.

Representing Governor Bassey Otu, the Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, commended the Federal Government and NADF for prioritising smallholder farmers, describing them as the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural economy.

Governor Otu said the intervention aligns with the state’s People First Agenda and pledged transparency in the distribution process to ensure every bag reaches genuine beneficiaries.

He also highlighted the state’s investments in mechanisation, quality inputs, extension services and strategic value chains, urging beneficiaries to use the fertiliser judiciously to increase yields and incomes.

Also, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari noted that the programme supports the farmer, increases demand for local fertiliser producers and improves food security for the nation.

Kyari represented by the Ministry’s State Coordinator, Sampson Maddy George, said the intervention demonstrates the Tinubu-led administration’s commitment, resolve and determination to revitalize food production and close productivity gaps in the food systems.

He said: “One programme delivers three gains: support for the farmer, increased demand for local fertiliser producers and improved food security for the nation.”

He also noted that the initiative builds on the FISP-AgGrow-1 Programme launched in 2025 and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving food sovereignty following President Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security in July 2023.

Earlier, the Cross River State Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Johnson Andiambey Ebokpo, in his remarks described the intervention as complimenting efforts made by the Otu-led administration in the state’s agricultural sector.

According to Ebokpo, the Cross River State Government has distributed subsidised mini-tractors, improved seedlings, quality seeds and farmer capacity-building programmes.

Meanwhile, he said this intervention by NADF strengthens the collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, development partners and farmer groups, which would improve productivity, increase rural incomes and enhance national food security.