BoA Begins Input Distribution to 500,000 Farmers Nationwide

News in brief:

—The Bank of Agriculture is supporting 500,000 smallholder farmers with farm inputs across more than 20 states.

—The intervention is expected to boost cultivation, increase food supply and strengthen rural agricultural businesses.

The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has commenced the distribution of fertiliser, maize seeds and crop protection products to about 500,000 smallholder farmers across Nigeria as part of efforts to increase food production and strengthen rural livelihoods.

The intervention is being implemented under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund, with the aim of improving farmers’ access to essential agricultural inputs.

Programme Targets Increased Food Production

The initiative, which covers more than 20 states, is expected to support the cultivation of about 520,000 hectares of farmland.

According to the Bank of Agriculture, the programme could contribute an estimated 2.6 million tonnes of additional food supply to the country.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOA, Ayo Sotinrin, said the initiative was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural capacity by providing farmers with the resources needed to improve productivity.

Nearly 200,000 Farmers Already Supported

Sotinrin disclosed that the programme has already recorded progress, with close to 200,000 farmers receiving financing support nationwide.

He added that 1.8 million bags of fertiliser and 329,000 bags of improved, high-yielding seeds are being distributed through 20 Farmer Aggregation Companies across different states.

The bank said the distribution system was structured to ensure that verified farmers receive inputs efficiently during the planting season.

Women Farmers Included in Agricultural Support Scheme

The BOA chief executive noted that more than one-third of the beneficiaries are women, describing the inclusion as part of efforts to promote wider participation in agriculture.

He said the intervention reflects the government’s commitment to supporting farmers with funding, inputs and institutional assistance from production through to market access.

According to him, the programme demonstrates that farmers remain central to Nigeria’s food security strategy.

Bank Urges Farmers to Maximise Support

Sotinrin advised beneficiaries to use the supplied inputs responsibly and follow recommended agricultural practices to achieve better yields.

He also encouraged farmers to maintain proper records and report challenges during the farming cycle to improve programme outcomes.

The Bank of Agriculture reaffirmed its role as a key institution for delivering agricultural interventions and supporting farmers nationwide.

A representative of the beneficiaries, Solomon Mathew, appreciated the government-backed programme, describing it as a timely response to the rising cost of agricultural inputs.

He said access to fertiliser, seeds and other resources would reduce pressure on farmers and help them expand production.

The bank said the initiative is expected to contribute to stronger food supply chains, improved rural incomes and sustainable agricultural growth across the country.