NADF Begins Fertiliser Distribution to Support South-South Farmers

News in Brief:

—NADF will provide fertiliser support to 20,160 smallholder farmers across South-South states under its Farm Input Support Programme.

—The initiative aims to boost productivity, lower farming costs and strengthen Nigeria’s food supply chain.

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has commenced distributing 80,640 subsidised bags of fertiliser to smallholder farmers across the South-South region as part of efforts to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.

The intervention, implemented through the Farm Input Support Programme (FISP), is designed to provide verified farmers with essential inputs at the right time to increase crop yields and improve livelihoods.

Programme Targets Verified Smallholder Farmers

Speaking during the launch of the distribution exercise in Calabar, Cross River State, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the programme was created to support genuine farmers cultivating priority crops.

He explained that the initiative is not a general distribution exercise but a targeted intervention to reduce production challenges and improve agricultural outcomes.

According to him, successful agriculture should be measured through increased productivity, better market access and improved living standards for farmers.

Over 20,000 Farmers to Benefit in South-South

Ibrahim disclosed that the South-South phase of the programme will provide fertiliser support to 20,160 farmers across Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Edo states.

Each state will receive 20,160 bags of fertiliser for 5,040 registered beneficiaries, with every farmer receiving four bags.

He added that the nationwide programme will reach 128,930 smallholder farmers, with a total of 515,720 fertiliser bags allocated.

The NADF boss stated that all fertiliser supplied under the programme was produced locally, fully subsidised and marked “Not for Sale” to prevent diversion.

He said each bag has been linked to verified beneficiaries through screening and documentation processes to ensure transparency. Independent monitoring teams will also evaluate the impact of the intervention after the farming season to determine productivity improvements.

Extension Support to Strengthen Farm Output

Beyond fertiliser distribution, NADF announced plans to deploy more than 1,800 Extension Advisory Workers nationwide to provide technical guidance to farmers.

The organisation is also developing a Harmonised Fertiliser Recommendations Manual for Crops in Nigeria to promote scientifically recommended fertiliser use.

Officials said the additional support would help farmers improve application methods, increase yields and maximise the benefits of the intervention.

Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, praised the federal government’s focus on smallholder farmers, describing them as vital contributors to Nigeria’s agricultural economy.

The state government pledged to ensure that fertiliser reaches genuine beneficiaries and encouraged farmers to use the inputs effectively.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security said the programme would support farmers, encourage local fertiliser production and contribute to national efforts towards food sovereignty.

Agriculture stakeholders noted that stronger collaboration between federal and state authorities, development partners and farmer groups would help increase rural incomes and improve Nigeria’s food production capacity.