Kebbi Begins Distribution Of 110 Truckloads Of Fertiliser, Improved Seeds To Farmers

 

The Kebbi Government on Wednesday commenced the free distribution of 110 truckloads of fertiliser and 100 metric tonnes of improved seeds to about 120,000 farmers across the state to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen climate resilience during the 2026 wet season farming.

Governor Nasir Idris, while flagging off the exercise in Birnin Kebbi, said the intervention, implemented under the Climate Change Adaptation Seed Support Programme and the Kaura Agricultural Development Agenda (KADAGE), was aimed at reducing production costs, enhancing food security and mitigating the adverse effects of climate change on farming.

Idris said agriculture remained the backbone of Kebbi’s economy, noting that more than 80 per cent of the state’s population depended on farming for their livelihoods.

He observed that unpredictable rainfall, prolonged dry spells, flooding, and increased pest attacks had continued to threaten agricultural productivity, farmers’ incomes and food security.

According to him, the fertiliser and improved seed distribution is a deliberate intervention to cushion the impact of climate change, reduce production costs and enable farmers to cultivate with confidence during the 2026 rainy season.

He disclosed that 6,000 metric tonnes of NPK fertiliser would be distributed through the state’s 3,743 polling units to ensure the inputs reached genuine farmers rather than middlemen.

 

The governor added that about 120,000 farmers across the state were expected to benefit from the programme.

Idris further said the government was distributing 100 metric tonnes of drought-tolerant and early-maturing millet and rice seeds under the third phase of the Climate Change Adaptation Seed Support Programme.

He explained that the seed varieties were carefully selected by agricultural experts because of their ability to withstand erratic rainfall and deliver higher yields.

The governor said the intervention formed part of his administration’s KADAGE initiative aimed at reducing production costs, improving productivity, and enhancing the livelihoods of farmers.

He listed other agricultural interventions by the administration to include the procurement and distribution of 5,000 power tillers and farm implements, resuscitation of the tractor hiring scheme at subsidised rates, and expansion of irrigation facilities.

According to him, the state has so far distributed over 15,000 solar-powered irrigation pumps, 20,000 petrol-powered pumps and 10,000 LPG-powered pumps, while also participating in the SPIN project to strengthen irrigation and reduce dependence on rainfall.

Idris said more extension workers had been mobilised to promote climate-smart agricultural practices across rural communities, while the government was collaborating with security agencies to safeguard farmlands.

He warned beneficiaries against diverting or selling the fertiliser and improved seeds, stressing that offenders would face the full weight of the law.

The governor urged farmers to make proper use of the inputs in line with the guidance of extension officers and adopt climate-smart farming practices.

He also appealed to traditional and community leaders to ensure transparency and fairness in the distribution process.

Idris appreciated President Bola Tinubu for supporting states in advancing agricultural development and also commended development partners for their contributions to the sector.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Shehu Mu’azu, said the government had released 110 truckloads of fertiliser for free distribution to farmers across the state.

 

Mu’azu said the gesture was in fulfilment of Gov. Idris’ annual commitment under KADAGE to provide free agricultural inputs to farmers.

He said the administration’s agricultural policies focused on free input distribution, dry-season farming, and climate resilience initiatives to strengthen food production and improve the livelihoods of rural farmers.

The commissioner recalled that the ministry had already distributed 5,000 power tillers, 6,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser annually, and about 45,000 solar-powered and fuel-powered irrigation pumps to farmers across the state.

He added that, in addition to the 110 truckloads of fertiliser, the government would also distribute 100 metric tonnes of improved seed varieties to farmers for the 2026 wet season farming.

On his part, the Secretary to the Kebbi State Government (SSG), Alhaji Yakubu Bala-Tafida, warned against the diversion or sale of the fertiliser, saying the government would not tolerate any act capable of undermining the programme.

Bala-Tafida said the state government constituted an annual fertiliser distribution committee comprising commissioners, members of the State House of Assembly, special advisers, local government chairmen, traditional rulers and security agencies to ensure transparent and equitable distribution across the state’s 225 wards and their polling units.

He said the committee was mandated to ensure that the fertiliser reached genuine farmers in all parts of the state.
“The fertiliser is not meant for sale. It has a unique logo and identity, and anyone found diverting or selling it will face the full weight of the law,” he warned.

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