Alia boosts Benue food security scheme with 50% fertiliser subsidy

Benue farmers will this planting season pay half price for fertilizer as Governor Hyacinth Alia on Wednesday launched the 2026 Fertilizer and Other Farm Inputs Sales and Distribution Exercise, pegging a 50kg bag at N28,000 while Government subsidises the balance of N28,000.

Governor Alia, who made this known during the flag-off of sales and distribution of fertilizer and other farm inputs, warned against diversion, favouritism or exploitation, saying the inputs procured must reach the intended beneficiaries as accountability and transparency remain the guiding principles.

The governor described the gesture as a deliberate demonstration of his administration’s commitment to food security, agricultural productivity, rural prosperity, and economic advancement of Benue people.

He reminded the gathering that Benue’s reputation as the “Food Basket of the Nation” was earned through the resilience and hard work of farmers who cultivate the land year after year, adding that the event was a celebration of farmers and a reaffirmation of government’s duty to support them with the resources needed to succeed.

Govenror Alia noted that upon assuming Office in 2023, his administration pledged to reposition agriculture as the cornerstone of sustainable economic growth. He identified rising production costs, limited access to quality inputs, and systemic bottlenecks as key constraints that had threatened farmers’ productivity and food security.

To address this, he said, government adopted policies aimed at improving access to critical inputs, enhancing productivity, increasing farmers’ incomes, and strengthening the entire agricultural value chain.
The 2026 inputs distribution exercise, he stressed, is a major component of that commitment.

The governor announced that the exercise would be implemented across all 23 Local Government Areas to guarantee equitable access and broad-based participation. He said the scale and design had been significantly enhanced compared to previous years to achieve greater impact on the ground.

This year’s intervention, according to Alia, has three key upgrades as the government increased the quantity of fertilizer to match the expansion of cultivated farmlands.

Beyond NPK and Urea, Benue State Government is also providing improved seedlings, herbicides and other essential inputs to boost yields.

“The distribution framework has also been strengthened for transparency, accountability, and timely delivery to genuine farmers”, Governor Alia noted.

Governor Alia said his vision extended beyond fertilizer, saying, Government is investing in rural roads to move produce from farms to markets, irrigation and water management for year-round farming, agro-processing to reduce post-harvest losses, and capacity-building for farmers, extension workers, youth, and women in agribusiness. Strategic partnerships are also being pursued to attract investment into the sector.

Addressing farmers directly, the governor assured the farmers of his administration’s support and urged them to make maximum use of the inputs provided, asking them to cooperate with Authorities and adhere strictly to guidelines to ensure the programme succeeds and reaches the intended beneficiaries.

He charged officials of the Ministry of Agriculture, extension workers, and all distribution personnel to act with integrity and professionalism.