The Federal Government, through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), has launched the first phase of its Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) in Nigeria’s North-West region, distributing 100,800 bags of fertiliser to 25,200 smallholder farmers across Katsina, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi and Jigawa states.
Speaking during the launch in Katsina State, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the initiative as a major step toward boosting food production and strengthening rural economic development in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to the minister, each of the five beneficiary states received 20,160 bags of fertiliser, to be distributed to 5,040 registered farmers through collaboration with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
Kyari stated that the programme is designed to bridge the productivity gap between smallholder and large-scale farmers, while also supporting local fertiliser producers to expand output, create jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s food supply chain.
He noted that the Federal Government had earlier introduced the AgGrow-1 Programme, which links registered farmers with agricultural processors to improve market access and increase value across the agricultural sector.
The minister further reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to implementing policies aimed at achieving food security, stabilising food prices, easing inflationary pressure and accelerating agricultural transformation nationwide.
He added that achieving sustainable food security requires consistent investment and support across farming seasons, noting that the North-West region is the latest beneficiary of the intervention.
The Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to increase agricultural output and ensure food availability across the country.
Tags
Politics