Renewed Hope: Gov. Radda launches fertiliser distribution for Northwest farmers

Governor Dikko Radda of Katsina State, on Saturday, launched the distribution of 100,800 bags of fertiliser to 25,200 smallholder farmers across the seven North-West states.

The fertiliser is being distributed under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme through the National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF.

Mr Radda, who is also the Chairman of the North-West Governors’ Forum, warned against diversion or sale of the commodity, saying it must reach the intended beneficiaries free-of-charge.

“We shall not tolerate diversion or manipulation of this intervention. The fertiliser is not for sale, it is meant for smallholder farmers,” he said.

He directed the Ministries of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, and other stakeholders to ensure a transparent and fair distribution process.

Mr Radda said Katsina State received 20,180 bags of fertiliser for 5,045 farmers across the 34 local government areas of the state.

He said the intervention came at a critical stage of the farming season and would boost food production and improve farmers’ livelihoods.

The governor added that the state government had been distributing 400,000 bags of fertiliser annually over the past three years and had already delivered this year’s allocation to farmers.

He also highlighted investments in irrigation, mechanisation, and youth agricultural training, including the revitalisation of the Songhai Integrated Farm Centre and the provision of more than 400 tractors and other farming equipment across the state.

He urged farmers to adopt modern farming practices to improve productivity and increase food security.

NAN reports that the North-West geopolitical zone of Nigeria consists of seven states, including Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara, and Sokoto.
NAN