By: Abdullahi InuwaÂ
In a bold move to stamp out diversion of farm inputs and strengthen food production, Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, has launched the free distribution of 110 truckloads of fertiliser and 100 metric tonnes of improved climate-resilient seeds to 120,000 farmers, with a promise that the commodities will reach genuine beneficiaries without the involvement of middlemen.
Flagging off the statewide exercise in Birnin Kebbi on Tuesday, Governor Idris said the intervention marks a new chapter in the state’s agricultural development, stressing that the distribution process has been deliberately designed to ensure transparency and fairness.
Under the arrangement, 6,000 metric tonnes of NPK fertiliser will be distributed through 3,743 polling units across the state, allowing farmers to receive the inputs directly in their communities.
The governor said the initiative forms part of the Climate Change Adaptation Seed Support Programme and the Kaura Agricultural Development Agenda (KADAGE), aimed at boosting food production while helping farmers cope with the growing challenges posed by climate change.
According to him, agriculture remains the backbone of Kebbi’s economy, employing more than 80 per cent of the state’s population, making sustained government investment in the sector a necessity rather than a choice.
He noted that erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, flooding and increasing pest attacks have continued to threaten harvests and the livelihoods of thousands of farming households.
Governor Idris explained that providing free fertiliser and improved seeds would significantly reduce production costs, improve crop yields and strengthen food security across the state.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting farmers with policies and programmes capable of transforming Kebbi into an even stronger agricultural powerhouse.
The large-scale intervention is expected to boost confidence among farmers ahead of the peak planting season and further reinforce Kebbi’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s leading food-producing states.
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