By: Lanre Shodimu
As the 2026 rainy season gathers momentum, the Nasarawa State Government has intensified efforts to boost food production by distributing fertilisers and farm inputs to 2,500 smallholder farmers under the NG-Cares Agricultural Programme, reinforcing ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening food security and supporting rural livelihoods.
The Nasarawa State Government has commenced the distribution of fertilisers and other farm inputs to 2,500 smallholder farmers under the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-Cares) Agricultural Programme as part of efforts to complement President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s food sufficiency agenda and enhance national food security.
The distribution exercise, flagged off recently at the Government House in Lafia, underscores the state’s commitment to supporting agricultural production and improving the livelihoods of rural farmers.
Speaking at the event, Governor Abdullahi Sule said agriculture remains a priority sector for his administration, noting that sustained investments in farming are essential to achieving food sufficiency across the state.
Represented by the Commissioner for Finance, Hajia Munirat Abdullahi, the governor stated that the government would continue to support agricultural initiatives through the provision of fertilisers, improved seeds, and other critical inputs needed to boost productivity.
According to him, the intervention reflects the administration’s determination to empower farmers, increase crop yields, and contribute to national efforts aimed at addressing food shortages and rising food prices.
Governor Sule also commended the NG-Cares programme for its continued support to local farmers, describing the initiative as timely and consistent with the state’s agricultural development objectives.
He noted that the programme aligns with his administration’s broader strategy of expanding food production and reducing hunger through targeted support for rural communities.
The National Coordinator of the NG-Cares Fadama Programme praised the Nasarawa State Government for its sustained commitment to supporting farmers and strengthening agricultural activities in the state.
He observed that the distribution came at an appropriate time as the rainy season had begun, urging beneficiaries to make judicious use of the fertilisers and farm inputs to maximise yields during the planting season.
Also speaking, the State Coordinator of NG-Cares, Hon. Umar Dahiru, revealed that more than 900 farmers benefited from the first phase of the Fadama NG-Cares Programme in the state.
He added that additional interventions are being planned to reach more farming communities and further improve agricultural productivity across Nasarawa.
Some of the beneficiaries, including Zhegili Bala and Habiba Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to the state government and NG-Cares for the support, describing the intervention as timely.
They pledged to utilise the inputs effectively to increase production and contribute to food availability in their communities.
The initiative is expected to strengthen farming activities during the current planting season while helping to improve food production, rural incomes, and overall food security in Nasarawa State.
