NADF Boosts South West Farming, Distributes 80+ Fertiliser Bags To 20 Farmers

The Federal Government has reinforced its commitment to improving food production and enhancing national food security with the distribution of 80,640 bags of fertiliser to 20,160 smallholder farmers across the South-West under the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (FISP).

According to reports, the initiative was officially launched in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday by the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) as part of efforts to support farmers during the 2026 wet planting season, reduce production costs and increase agricultural productivity.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, described the programme as a strategic intervention aimed at ensuring agricultural inputs are delivered directly to genuine farmers to boost yields and strengthen the country’s food security objectives.

He explained that the fertiliser distribution aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places significant emphasis on agricultural transformation, food sufficiency and inclusive economic development.

Ibrahim stressed that the exercise was designed to provide targeted assistance rather than a routine distribution programme, noting that fertilisers were allocated to verified farmers cultivating priority crops based on the comparative agricultural strengths of participating states.

He also revealed that all fertilisers supplied under the programme were locally manufactured, fully traceable and clearly labelled “Not For Sale” to discourage diversion and ensure transparency. According to him, every bag has been linked to verified beneficiaries to guarantee accountability throughout the distribution process.

Representing Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, described the intervention as a timely boost for the agricultural sector, expressing confidence that it would improve productivity, stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities and strengthen food security.

She commended President Tinubu, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and NADF for implementing practical initiatives that provide direct support to farmers while fostering stronger collaboration between the Federal Government and state governments.

Also speaking, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, said the programme forms part of broader government efforts to reduce farming costs, increase agricultural output and achieve sustainable food security across the country.

Similarly, the President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alhaji Muhammad Magaji, described the intervention as both timely and impactful, noting that it would ease production expenses, improve crop yields and enhance the productivity of smallholder farmers.

The South-West phase of the Farm Input Support Programme is expected to contribute significantly to increased food production, stabilise food prices and support the Federal Government’s drive to build a more resilient and food-secure economy.