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The Federal Government has commenced the distribution of 515,720 bags of urea and NPK fertilisers to 128,930 smallholder farmers across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as part of efforts to boost food production, lower farming costs and strengthen national food security.

The distribution was officially flagged off in Abuja during the launch of the National Agricultural Development Fund’s (NADF) Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (FISP), with Vice President Kashim Shettima describing the initiative as a major intervention aimed at supporting farmers and increasing agricultural productivity across the country.

Represented by the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, the Vice President said the programme reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to improving the livelihoods of farmers while advancing the objectives of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to him, the intervention is targeted specifically at smallholder farmers cultivating less than half a hectare of land, a category that constitutes a significant portion of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce.

Under the programme, the Federal Capital Territory will receive 11,210 bags of fertiliser for distribution to 2,930 registered farmers. Similar allocations are expected to be distributed across the participating states to ensure farmers have access to essential inputs during the critical planting season.

Shettima noted that the provision of more than half a million bags of fertiliser demonstrates the administration’s determination to empower farmers, improve crop yields and contribute to national food sufficiency.

He stressed the importance of accountability and transparency throughout the distribution process, urging all stakeholders involved to ensure that the fertilisers reach the intended beneficiaries without diversion.

The Vice President also emphasised the need to prioritise women, young farmers and other vulnerable groups who often face challenges accessing agricultural inputs and financial support.

For many smallholder farmers, the rising cost of fertiliser has remained a major obstacle to increasing production. The intervention is expected to help reduce input costs, improve farm productivity and support higher harvests during the current farming season.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Development Fund, Mohammed A. Ibrahim, described the program as timely, noting that it arrives at a crucial stage of the farming calendar.

He explained that beyond supporting individual farmers, the initiative is designed to strengthen the country’s food supply chain, improve agricultural output and contribute to broader economic stability.

According to him, food security remains one of the most important national priorities because of its direct impact on economic growth, job creation, rural development and household welfare.

He stated that ensuring farmers have access to essential inputs such as fertilisers is critical to increasing agricultural productivity and reducing the pressure on food prices across the country.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture Production and Services, Bello Kaoje, described the programme as a practical response to the challenge of hunger and food insecurity facing many Nigerians.

The fertilizer distribution program comes as the government continues to pursue policies aimed at revitalizing the agricultural sector, improving local food production and supporting small-scale farmers who play a central role in Nigeria’s food system.

For MSMEs operating within agricultural value chains, including agro-processors, food distributors and input suppliers, increased farm productivity could create new business opportunities, improve raw material availability and contribute to a more stable agricultural economy.