There was great relief among farmers in Niger state as the President Bola Tinubu directed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to distribute 2.1 million bags of fertiliser to small-scale farmers across the country at no cost to enhance national food security.
The official launch reported by the national television authority said the distribution was held in Borgu, Niger State, and presided over by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi.
Representing the president, Abdullahi said the fertilisers were released to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support the government’s efforts in addressing the nation’s food security challenges, an initiative to support farmers and boost agricultural productivity as disclosed by the National television authority.
A significant portion of the 2.1 million bags has been allocated to state governor, who will oversee their onward distribution at state and local government levels. The primary beneficiaries are small-scale farmers, who are crucial to the nation’s food production but often lack access to sufficient farming inputs.
He emphasised the importance of equitable distribution, urging leaders to ensure the fertilisers reach the intended recipients stating that “Let’s be magnanimous as the President has been to ensure that these fertilisers get to the people it is meant for. That way, we can ramp up our production, and the food security challenges we are experiencing can begin to wear down”.
He also reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting farmers through various initiatives, to achieve food security. The free fertiliser distribution is expected to significantly boost national food production and help mitigate the current food supply challenges.
In addition to the current distribution, President Tinubu has instructed the Ministry of Agriculture to begin preparations for the 2024/2025 dry season farming. This includes the commencement of data capture for farmers who will participate in the upcoming farming season, ensuring a more structured and efficient support system.
