NADF Disburses 168,000 Bags Of Fertiliser To 25,200 Farmers In Katsina

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has launched a major agricultural intervention in Katsina State, distributing 168,000 bags of fertiliser to 25,200 smallholder farmers under the Federal Government’s Farm Input Support Programme (FISP).
Speaking at the launch, the Executive Secretary of NADF Mr Mohammed  Ibrahim, described the initiative as a strategic intervention aimed at boosting food production, reducing production costs, and improving food security across the country.
According to him, each beneficiary farmer will receive four bags of fertiliser, while the programme is expected to support the cultivation of approximately 128,931 hectares of farmland and contribute significantly to national food production.
“This programme is not just about distributing fertiliser; it is about ensuring that the right farmers receive the right inputs for the right crops at the right time,” he said.
The NADF boss noted that the intervention was designed following assessments of the needs of farmers, market demand, and production realities in participating states. He added that the objective is to improve access to quality farm inputs, increase agricultural productivity, and lower the cost of food in the market.
He disclosed that the fertiliser distribution process includes beneficiary validation, duplication screening, stakeholder participation, and monitoring mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability.
“Every bag of fertiliser is linked to a verified smallholder farmer. We want to ensure that government support reaches those who genuinely need it,” he said.
The executive secretary also highlighted NADF’s growing investments in agricultural development across the North-West region. 
He revealed that in 2024, the Fund partnered with the Katsina State Government to implement livelihood support programmes across seven local government areas, reaching more than 5,000 households.
He further stated that NADF provided support to over 2,000 onion farmers affected by flooding in Sokoto and Kebbi states last year, while current interventions in Jigawa State include the development of a 3,000-hectare irrigation scheme at Auyakawa/Jamare Dam and the establishment of an Agricultural Development Hub.
Commending Katsina State’s commitment to agricultural transformation, the NADF chief said the state’s investments in mechanisation, irrigation, climate-smart agriculture, and rural development have positioned it as a model for agricultural excellence in Nigeria.
He urged beneficiary farmers to make proper use of the fertiliser and adopt improved farming practices to maximise yields and contribute to national food security.
The Katsina State commissioner for agriculture and livestock, Hon Aliyu Lawal Zakari, described the federal government’s Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) as a timely intervention that will strengthen food security and complement ongoing agricultural transformation efforts in the state.
He said the initiative aligns with the administration’s commitment to improving agricultural productivity and supporting smallholder farmers.
According to him, Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s administration has invested heavily in agriculture through the provision of tractors, solar-powered irrigation facilities, water pumps, mechanisation services, and improved seeds to enhance farmers’ productivity and climate resilience.
Zakari noted that the federal government’s intervention would further support farmers by improving access to critical farm inputs and encouraging the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices.
He urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the inputs provided, stressing that agriculture should be treated as a business capable of driving economic growth and improving livelihoods.
“The programme comes at the right time and will complement the state’s efforts to ensure that smallholder farmers have the support they need to increase production and guarantee food availability for all,” he said.
The commissioner commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Radda for prioritising agriculture as a key component of economic recovery and food security. 
He added that the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development would oversee planning, implementation, monitoring and feedback mechanisms to ensure the success of the programme.