FG Distributes 80,640 Fertiliser Bags to 20,160 South-East Farmers Under Renewed Hope Programme

The Federal Government has launched the South-East phase of the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (FISP), distributing 80,640 bags of fertiliser to 20,160 registered smallholder farmers across Imo, Enugu, Anambra and Ebonyi states as part of efforts to increase food production and strengthen national food security.

The programme, implemented by the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), was officially flagged off on Monday at the Ndubuisi Kanu (Heroes) Square in Owerri, Imo State, ahead of the 2026 wet farming season.

Speaking at the launch, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, represented by the Fund's General Manager for Technical Services, Ernest Ihedigbo, said the intervention was designed to address critical shortages in farm inputs, improve agricultural productivity and enhance the resilience of smallholder farmers.

He disclosed that each of the 20,160 registered farmers selected under the programme would benefit from fertiliser grants aimed at reducing production costs and improving crop yields.

According to him, the initiative is also intended to strengthen Nigeria's agricultural value chain by supporting indigenous fertiliser manufacturers, creating employment opportunities and stimulating rural economic development.

"The Farm Input Support Programme is a home-grown agricultural intervention that addresses the needs of smallholder farmers while supporting local fertiliser production, creating jobs and strengthening food security," Ibrahim said.

He explained that the programme is built around three major objectives: stabilising food prices through targeted farm input support, increasing agricultural productivity by closing input gaps and strengthening value-chain linkages to accelerate agro-economic growth.

Ibrahim reaffirmed the Fund's commitment to partnering with state governments and development institutions to unlock the agricultural potential of the South-East and encourage sustainable investment in the sector.

Representing the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Senior Special Adviser to the Minister, Ibrahim Tanimu, described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria's quest for food self-sufficiency.

He said the intervention demonstrates the Federal Government's commitment to lowering production costs for farmers while increasing agricultural output through direct support.

Tanimu also noted that the Memorandum of Understanding signed by the Imo State Government, the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and NADF would promote transparency and accountability in the distribution process.

Representing the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, described the programme as a significant milestone for agricultural development across the South-East.

She urged beneficiaries to utilise the fertiliser strictly for farming activities rather than diverting it for other purposes, saying the intervention would improve harvests, create employment opportunities and strengthen rural livelihoods.

"We are planting more than fertilisers today; we are planting food security, jobs and a better future for the South-East," she said.

Also speaking, the National President of AFAN, Mohammed Magaji, commended the Federal Government and NADF for rolling out the programme at the beginning of the planting season, describing the timing as critical to improving productivity.

He said timely access to quality farm inputs would reduce production costs, boost crop yields and increase the profitability of smallholder farming.

Magaji also praised the adoption of a transparent, data-driven process for selecting beneficiaries, noting that it would ensure support reaches genuine farmers.

He further commended the Imo State Government for its investments in agricultural infrastructure, agribusiness development, youth empowerment and rural road construction, describing them as essential to strengthening agricultural value chains.

The Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme is one of the Federal Government's flagship agricultural interventions aimed at supporting smallholder farmers, encouraging local fertiliser production, stimulating rural economies and advancing Nigeria's food security objectives.