THE National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), in collaboration with the Jigawa State Government, has distributed 20,200 bags of assorted fertiliser free of charge to more than 5,000 small-scale farmers across the 27 Local Government Areas of the state under the Presidency’s Renewed Hope Farm Inputs Distribution Programme.
News Point Nigeria reports that the distribution exercise was officially flagged off in Shuwaron Town, Kiyawa Local Government Area, where Governor Malam Umar Namadi reaffirmed that agriculture remains the backbone and driving force of Jigawa State’s economic growth in line with the 12-point agenda of his administration.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Engineer Aminu Usman Gumel, the governor said that since the inception of his administration in 2023, the state government has empowered and supported no fewer than 250,000 farmers with high-quality agricultural inputs, making Jigawa a model among its peers in the production of both food and cash crops.
Governor Namadi added that the state government recently recruited 1,700 agricultural extension workers to provide farmers with advisory services and modern farming techniques aimed at improving productivity and promoting competitive agricultural production.
He further disclosed that the administration had procured 400 tractors and 70 combined harvesters, while also rehabilitating the Dembo and Kuda dams in Kazaure to strengthen irrigation farming and support all-year-round agricultural activities.
The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the intervention and commended the Federal Government for allocating more than one million tonnes of fertiliser to 25 northern states for free distribution to peasant farmers during the current rainy season.
Namadi also explained that his administration had subsidised the sale of fertiliser to below ₦35,000 per bag, warning beneficiaries against diverting or selling the fertiliser in the black market.
He stressed that agricultural extension workers would closely monitor beneficiaries to ensure that the farm inputs are used strictly for agricultural purposes.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Muntaqa Namadi, said each beneficiary would receive four bags of fertiliser free of charge under the Renewed Hope Farm Inputs Distribution Programme.
He added that the Jigawa Agricultural Supply Company (JASCO) and Star Agric Services would simultaneously commence the sale of fertiliser to the general public at the government-approved subsidised price.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Jigawa State, Alhaji Mai Unguwa Jaga, commended both the Federal and Jigawa State governments for their continued support and commitment to improving farmers’ welfare.
He also warned beneficiaries against selling the fertiliser in open markets, urging them instead to utilise the inputs to increase agricultural productivity and contribute to food security in the state and across the country.
