NADF flags off farm inputs support program to Nigeria's boost food production

In a bid to strengthening Nigeria’s food security drive, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has flagged off the Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) for the North Central geo-political zone in Minna, Niger State.

Under the programme, the NADF aim to provide 80,640 bags of subsidised NPK fertiliser to 20,160 smallholder farmers across Niger, Benue, Nasarawa and Kwara States, targeting priority food security crops to increase yields, reduce production costs and improve food supply.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, Executive Secretary/CEO of NADF, described the program as a strategic intervention designed to address one of the biggest challenges facing farmers; access to quality and affordable farm inputs.

According to Ibrahim, the initiative is fully aligned with President Tinubu’s vision of transforming agriculture into a major driver of economic growth, job creation and national development.

He said that the programme is deliberately structured to ensure that support reaches genuine farmers cultivating crops that are critical to food security and economic growth.

“FISP is not fertiliser distribution for the sake of distribution. It is targeted support designed to get fertiliser to the right farmers, for the right crops, at the right time. Our focus is on increasing productivity, improving farm output and supporting a more stable food market,” he said.

Ibrahim also explained that NADF has identified priority crops in each participating state based on comparative advantage and production potential. In Niger State, the programme focuses on rice, maize and yam production, while farmers in Benue State will benefit from support for rice, yam and soybean cultivation.

The NADF boss disclosed that all fertilisers supplied under the programme are made in Nigeria, fully traceable and clearly branded “NOT FOR SALE” to prevent diversion and ensure accountability. He added that every bag has been mapped to verified beneficiaries through a rigorous validation process involving stakeholder engagement and beneficiary screening.

“The real success of this programme will not be measured by today’s ceremony but by what happens on the farms in the coming months. We are committed to tracking results and using evidence to strengthen future interventions,” he said.

He urged beneficiaries to utilise the fertiliser responsibly and strictly for the intended purpose, stressing that farmers remain critical partners in the nation’s quest to achieve sustainable food security.

In his remarks, Mohammed Umaru Bago, governor of Niger State commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his commitment to agricultural transformation, describing the intervention as a practical demonstration of the President’s determination to achieve food security and economic prosperity through strategic investments in agriculture.

He noted that empowering smallholder farmers with critical inputs remains one of the most effective ways to increase food production, improve rural livelihoods and strengthen the agricultural value chain.

Governor Bago also applauded the leadership of NADF for its consistent support to Nigeria’s agricultural revolution through targeted, innovative and impact-driven programmes that directly benefit farmers and rural communities.

According to him, NADF has continued to play a vital role in advancing the country’s food security objectives by supporting initiatives that enhance productivity, stimulate economic activities and create opportunities across the agricultural sector.

Also speaking at the event, Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, said the programme reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing food insecurity through increased support for farmers.

According to him, the timing of the intervention is strategic as it coincides with the onset of the rainy season when fertiliser demand is highest.

He noted that the NADF, as an agency of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, is designed to carried out these kind of specific interventions in the agricultural sector.

The Minister further noted that similar interventions would be implemented across other states as part of broader efforts to stimulate agricultural production and enhance food sovereignty.

The launch of FISP in the North Central zone marks another milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to increase domestic food production, strengthen agricultural value chains, improve food affordability and deliver on President Tinubu’s vision of a food-secure, prosperous and economically resilient Nigeria.

[email protected]

Cynthia Egboboh is Journalist and news‑story writer with BusinessDay Nigeria, based in Abuja. Working in the media industry for over 8years, her report is focus on the Nigerian economy and finance, oil and gas industry, power, and infrastructure. Born in Edo State, Cynthia holds a Higher National Diploma in Business Administration and Management, from Auchi polytechnic.