Governor Umaru Bago Launches Reinforced Hope Farm Input Support Program (FISP) for the North Central Zone, Targeting 2.5 Million Metric Tons of Food This Year
Niger State governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has inaugurated the federal government’s renewed Hope Farm Input Support Program (FISP) for the North Central region.
The ceremony, held in Minna and facilitated by the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), aims to support 20,160 smallholder farmers across Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, and Kwara States by distributing 80,640 bags of NPK fertilizer.
Farmer-governor Umaru Bago praised President Bola Tinubu’s foresight and dedication to achieving food sovereignty, calling the initiative both timely and essential for boosting agricultural productivity.
Farmer governor Bago, who sees agriculture as Nigeria’s sustainable development pathway, announced Niger State’s goal to produce 2.5 million metric tons of grains within the year.
He emphasized that Niger State’s vast arable land and level of mechanization make it an ideal location for the program, noting that access to inputs like herbicides and pesticides will greatly increase food production.
Mohammed Ibrahim, NADF’s executive secretary and CEO, said that the launch marks another milestone in President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes food security, higher productivity, and inclusive economic growth.
He stressed that fertilizer distribution will be targeted to ensure it reaches the right farmers and crops, thereby lowering costs, improving access to quality inputs, increasing yields per hectare, and boosting food availability.
Mr. Sammy Adigun, Chairman of Niger Foods, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Governor Bago for their support of farmers nationwide. He highlighted that the Niger State government has provided mechanization equipment and subsidized fertilizer to aid farmers.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Abdullahi Sabi reaffirmed that the programme supports President Tinubu’s promise to achieve food security and emphasized the importance of empowering smallholder farmers to increase production.
He noted that NADF, under the Ministry of Agriculture, is dedicated to supporting farmers across the country and that collaboration with state agencies is vital. He praised Niger State as a successful example of President Tinubu’s strategies.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Isah Sidi Rijau, described the initiative as part of the federal government’s efforts to promote sustainable food sovereignty, with particular focus on small-scale farmers, who produce about 98% of Nigeria’s food.
Key moments included signing a Memorandum of Understanding between NADF and the four beneficiary states for the first phase of the farm input support program, along with the governor’s symbolic distribution of fertilizer to farmers.
