The federal government on Monday intensified efforts to boost food production and strengthen food security with the rollout of 80,640 bags of fertiliser to 20,160 registered smallholder farmers across four South-East States under the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (FISP).
The intervention, implemented by the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), was inaugurated in Owerri, Imo State, with beneficiaries drawn from Imo, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states ahead of the 2026 wet farming season.
Speaking at the launch, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the programme as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s quest for food self-sufficiency.
He said the fertiliser support demonstrated the federal government’s commitment to reducing production costs for farmers while increasing crop yields through direct intervention.
Represented by his Senior Special Adviser, Ibrahim Tanimu, the minustersaid the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the Imo State Government, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and NADF would ensure transparency and accountability in the distribution process.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive of NADF, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, said the initiative is designed to close critical farm input gaps, improve productivity and enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers.
Represented by the fund’s General Manager, Technical Services, Mr. Ernest Ihedigbo, he disclosed that each of the 20,160 registered beneficiaries would receive fertiliser grants under the programme, adding that the intervention also seeks to deepen linkages across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain by supporting indigenous fertiliser manufacturers.
According to him, the programme was structured to stabilise food prices through targeted input support, raise agricultural productivity by improving farmers’ access to essential inputs and strengthen value chains to drive rural economic growth.
Ibrahim said the fund would continue collaborating with state governments and development partners to unlock the agricultural potential of the South-East while encouraging sustainable investment in the sector.
However, Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, described the initiative as a significant boost for agricultural development in the region.
He urged beneficiaries to use the fertilisers strictly for cultivation, warning against diversion of the inputs, noting that the programme has the potential to improve harvests, create jobs and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Represented by Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere IhuomaEkomaru, Uzodimma said, “We are planting more than fertilisers today; we are planting food security, jobs and a better future for the South-East,”
National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mohammed Magaji, welcomed the intervention, noting that the timing aligns with the commencement of the planting season.
He said access to quality farm inputs would lower production costs, improve yields and enhance the profitability of smallholder farming.
Magaji also commended the transparent, data-driven process adopted in selecting beneficiaries, expressing confidence that the support would reach genuine farmers. He further lauded the state government’s investments in agricultural infrastructure, agribusiness development, youth empowerment and rural roads, describing them as critical to strengthening agricultural value chains.
James Emejo
