Uba Sani Rolls Out 500 Trucks Of Free Fertiliser, Tractors For 150,000 Kaduna Farmers

According to Ireporter Online, the programme was officially flagged off at the Murtala Mohammed Square in Kaduna, where the governor described it as one of the largest fertiliser intervention schemes ever implemented by any state government in Nigeria.

Governor Sani said the initiative was designed to ease the burden of rising production costs on farmers while increasing food production, stressing that genuine smallholder farmers should not be denied access to essential agricultural inputs because of financial constraints.

He disclosed that although there were suggestions to sell the fertiliser at subsidised rates, his administration opted for free distribution, arguing that even subsidised prices would still be beyond the reach of many farmers and could encourage exploitation by middlemen seeking to make profits.

The governor recalled that in August 2025, the state distributed 400 trucks of fertiliser free of charge to 100,000 smallholder farmers, with each beneficiary receiving two bags, while more than 500 trucks of fertiliser and other farming inputs were provided in 2024 to support both wet and dry season farming.

He noted that agriculture has become the backbone of Kaduna State’s economy, contributing approximately 43 per cent of the state’s Gross Domestic Product while providing employment for between 60 and 80 per cent of the active workforce.

Governor Sani attributed recent progress in the agricultural sector partly to improved security across the state, revealing that more than 5,000 hectares of farmland had been recovered as farmers returned to their communities through collaborative security efforts supported by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He also stated that Kaduna remains the country’s leading producer of maize, tomatoes and ginger, describing agriculture as a vital driver of food security, industrial growth, employment, rural development and social stability.

The governor explained that upon assuming office in 2023, his administration inherited an agricultural budget of ₦1.48 billion, representing just 0.4 per cent of the state’s total budget, which he considered inadequate for such a critical sector.

According to him, funding for agriculture was increased to ₦23.4 billion in 2024 and ₦74.02 billion in 2025, while more than ₦100 billion has been allocated to agriculture and food security in the 2026 budget.

He noted that the 2026 allocation represents about 11.65 per cent of the state’s total expenditure, exceeding the 10 per cent benchmark set under the Malabo Declaration on agricultural financing.

Governor Sani expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for the Federal Government’s continued support, stating that several of Kaduna’s agricultural achievements were made possible through strong collaboration between both governments.

He added that the state has invested across the agricultural value chain by providing improved seeds, mechanisation, irrigation facilities, extension services, financing, insurance and better transport infrastructure for farmers.

The governor further revealed that Kaduna has expanded investments in livestock development through enhanced veterinary services, disease surveillance, vaccination programmes, dairy and poultry production, feed improvement and pastoral infrastructure, while extending agricultural insurance coverage to more than 100,000 farmers against floods, drought, pests and other farming risks.

He also disclosed that the state is implementing the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone in partnership with the Federal Government and the African Development Bank, while establishing the Africa Quality Assurance Centre to ensure Kaduna’s agricultural products meet international standards and remain competitive under the African Continental Free Trade Area.