BOA, Japtini Launch Input Distribution for 15,000 Taraba Farmers

News in Brief:

—Nigeria's Bank of Agriculture and Japtini Company have begun distributing farm inputs to 15,000 smallholder farmers in Taraba State.

—The programme provides fertiliser, agrochemicals and improved seedlings, while also linking farmers to guaranteed buyers to improve productivity, incomes and food security.

The Bank of Agriculture (BOA), in partnership with Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited, has launched the 2026 farming season input distribution programme in Taraba State, targeting more than 15,000 smallholder farmers under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Programme.

This initiative will improve agricultural productivity, enhance rural livelihoods and strengthen national food security by providing farmers with essential production inputs and access to reliable markets.

Farmers Receive Fertiliser, Seeds and Agrochemicals

Under the programme, smallholder farmers are receiving fertilisers, agrochemicals and improved high-yield seedlings financed by BOA through selected Farmers Aggregation Companies (FACs).

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Jalingo, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOA, Mr Ayo Sotinrin, represented by the Bank’s North-East Zonal Head of Finance, Hajiya Hauwa Sule Garba, said the intervention reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting rural farmers and expanding food production.

“Investing in farmers is investing in Nigeria’s future. This support comes with responsibility. Farm with everything you have, apply these inputs correctly, and let your harvest demonstrate that when Nigerian farmers receive the right support, they deliver exceptional results,” he said.

Programme Targets Two Million Farmers Nationwide

BOA said the Renewed Hope programme is expected to reach two million smallholder farmers across Nigeria, with plans to distribute more than 10 million bags of fertiliser.

According to the Bank, over 200,000 farmers have already been financed nationwide, while more than 1.1 million bags of fertiliser and 16,470 metric tonnes of improved seeds have been deployed across participating states.

In Taraba State alone, the Bank is financing over 15,000 farmers through Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited.

Emir Commends FG for Supporting Rural Farmers

The Emir of Jalingo, Alhaji Tukur Abba Tukur, praised the Federal Government and BOA for bringing the initiative to Taraba State, noting that many beneficiaries are rural women whose participation will help improve household incomes and food production.

“We in Jalingo and across Taraba State are delighted that the Federal Government, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, has remembered our people with this remarkable intervention aimed at supporting genuine farmers,” the Emir said.

He urged beneficiaries to use the inputs responsibly and warned against diversion, adding that the programme would be closely monitored to ensure it achieves its objectives.

Japtini Promises Transparent Distribution

The Taraba State Lead for Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited and Project Coordinator in Jalingo, Mr Iliyasu Mustapha, said accountability and transparency would be critical to the programme’s success.

He assured stakeholders that the company would ensure the inputs reach genuine farmers across the state.

Beyond input support, the programme also guarantees participating farmers access to reliable offtakers for their produce, providing a ready market for harvests and helping farmers secure better incomes.

Officials said the combination of input financing and market access is expected to improve productivity, reduce post-harvest challenges and strengthen food supply chains across Taraba State and beyond.