Uba Sani, the Governor of Kaduna State, has officially established a multi-stakeholder committee tasked with overseeing the allocation of over 300 truckloads of fertiliser to 100,000 farmers throughout the region.
This initiative is part of the state government’s comprehensive strategy aimed at bolstering food security and improving rural livelihoods.
According to a statement issued by Murtala Dabo, Kaduna’s Commissioner of Agriculture, the distribution and monitoring of fertiliser will be conducted at both the state and local levels to ensure transparency, credibility, and community involvement.
The committee is composed of representatives from various sectors, including public and private entities, civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders, labor unions, security agencies, and anti-corruption organizations.
“This comprehensive approach underscores Kaduna State’s steadfast commitment to fostering inclusive agricultural transformation, rural development, and sustainable food systems,” Dabo remarked.
He added, “This initiative is a vital part of the government’s efforts to enhance food security, uplift rural livelihoods, and increase agricultural productivity in our communities.”
Under the smallholder farmer category, each beneficiary will receive two bags of free fertiliser, while commercial farmers will be eligible for a targeted input subsidy program, which provides fertiliser at a 40 percent reduced rate.
“This intervention aims to promote agribusiness growth, support job creation within the agricultural value chain, and enhance price competitiveness in the commodity market by lowering input costs,” he explained.
Additionally, Dabo announced that 100,000 smallholder farmers will be enrolled in a crop risk insurance scheme designed to protect them against the impacts of climate-related challenges.
This insurance initiative seeks to safeguard farmers’ yields from threats such as pest infestations, crop diseases, and adverse weather conditions associated with climate change, aligning with the state’s overarching goal of establishing a resilient and secure agricultural system.