Farmers in Edo, Cross River, others benefit as NADF flags off FISP in South-South 

Over 20,160 smallholder farmers from Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Edo States received free fertilizer to boost their farm yields, as National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) flagged off the distribution of 80,640 bags of fully subsidised fertiliser in the South-South geopolitical zone under its Farm Input Support Program (FISP).

The program according to the NADF, reinforces the Federal Government’s commitment to boosting agricultural productivity, lowering production costs and strengthening national food security.

Speaking at the program launch in Calabar, Cross River State, Mohammed Ibrahim,  Executive Secretary of NADF, said that the FISP is a targeted intervention designed to ensure fertiliser reaches verified farmers cultivating priority food crops at the right time, rather than serving as a general distribution exercise.

Ibrahim who was represented by Olalekan Alabi, Head of Investment Department, described the intervention as a practical demonstration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for agriculture.

He said, “FISP is not a blanket intervention. It is targeted support designed to get fertiliser to the right farmers, for the right crops and at the right time. Agriculture should be measured by higher yields, improved market access and the impact it makes on people’s lives.”

Ibrahim explained that the program will benefit 128,930 smallholder farmers nationwide through the distribution of 515,720 bags of fertiliser. Under the South-South phase, each participating state will receive 20,160 bags for 5,040 registered farmers, with every beneficiary receiving four bags.

He noted that all fertiliser supplied under the program is manufactured in Nigeria, fully subsidised, traceable and clearly marked “Not for Sale” to prevent diversion.

According to him, every bag has been linked to a verified beneficiary through validation, duplication screening and proper documentation, while monitoring and evaluation partners will assess productivity after the farming season.

The NADF boss also announced that the Fund will deploy over 1,800 Extension Advisory Workers nationwide next month, with 30 officers assigned to each state. He added that NADF is finalising a Harmonised Fertilizer Recommendations Manual for Crops in Nigeria to provide farmers with scientifically backed fertiliser application guidelines.

Representing Governor Bassey Otu, Elvert Ayambem, Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, commended the Federal Government and NADF for prioritising smallholder farmers, describing them as the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural economy.

He said the intervention aligns with the state’s People First Agenda and pledged transparency in the distribution process to ensure every bag reaches genuine beneficiaries. He also highlighted the state’s investments in mechanisation, quality inputs, extension services and strategic value chains, urging beneficiaries to use the fertiliser judiciously to increase yields and incomes.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sampson George, the ministry’s State Coordinator, said the intervention demonstrates the Federal Government’s determination to close Nigeria’s agricultural productivity gap.

“One programme delivers three gains: support for the farmer, increased demand for local fertiliser producers and improved food security for the nation,” he said.

George noted that the initiative builds on the FISP-AgGrow-1 Program launched in 2025 and reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving food sovereignty following President Tinubu’s declaration of a State of Emergency on Food Security in July 2023.