The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has begun handing out 80,640 bags of free fertiliser to 20,160 smallholder farmers in the South‑South zone — and yes, that’s four bags per farmer.
The move is part of the fund’s Farm Input Support Programme (FISP), meant to boost productivity, cut costs and shore up food security. Executive Secretary Mohammed Ibrahim said this in a statement in Abuja on Sunday; he was represented at the Calabar unveiling on Saturday by the NADF’s head of investment, Olalekan Alabi.
Mr Ibrahim named the benefiting states as Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Edo and framed the intervention as part of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“The FISP is a targeted intervention designed to ensure fertiliser reaches verified farmers cultivating priority food crops at the right time, rather than serving as a general distribution exercise.
“It is a 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,
“We are distributing 515,720 bags of fertiliser nationwide, but under the South-South. Each participating state will receive 20,160 bags for 5,040 registered farmers, with every beneficiary receiving four bags,” he said.
Mr Ibrahim added that all fertiliser is made in Nigeria, fully subsidised, traceable and clearly marked “Not for Sale”. Each bag links to a verified beneficiary; duplication screening and monitoring will follow. The fund will roll out over 1,800 Extension Advisory Workers next month (30 per state) and is finalising a harmonised fertiliser recommendations manual.
He quoted Senator Abubakar Kyari as saying the intervention aims to close Nigeria’s productivity gap. Represented by ministry coordinator Sampson George, the ministry called it “one programme delivers three gains: support for the farmer, increased demand for local fertiliser producers and improved food security for the nation.”
Cross River Governor Bassey Otu — via Speaker Elvert Ayambem — praised the programme and vowed transparency. State Commissioner Johnson Ebokpo said it complements local efforts like subsidised mini tractors, improved seedlings, quality seeds and farmer training.
(NAN)
