1,200 Niger farmers receive 6,000 bags of fertilizer under FG/IFAD-VCDP-CAF initiative
Priscilla Ben
No fewer than 1,200 farmers in Wushishi Local Government Area of Niger State have received 6,000 bags of fertilizer under the Federal Government-International Fund for Agricultural Development (FG/IFAD)- Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) through the Commodity Alliance Forum’s (CAF) partnership with Falgates Limited in the area.
The second batch of fertilizer distribution, flagged off on Tuesday, is expected to boost crop yields, strengthen food security and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers across participating communities.
Speaking at the ceremony, the State Business, Marketing and Development Officer of the FG/IFAD-VCDP, Mrs. Elizabeth Yisa, said the intervention demonstrates the impact of CAF’s partnership with Falgates Limited in improving farmers’ access to quality agricultural inputs.
She said the programme is committed to promoting sustainable agriculture and increasing farmers’ productivity.
The State CAF Chairman, Alh. Ibrahim Mohammed Kanko, disclosed that each of the 1,200 beneficiaries would receive five bags of fertilizer comprising three bags of NPK and two bags of Urea, bringing the total distribution to 6,000 bags.
“Fertilizer is the life of every farmer and every crop. This intervention will definitely boost food production and farming activities,” Kanko said.
He added that the programme extends beyond input distribution, noting that Falgates has field supervisors who visit farmers weekly from planting to harvest to monitor their farms, provide technical support and ensure proper utilization of the inputs and repayment of input loans.
Also speaking, the Programme Coordinator and Youth Leader of Niger CAF, Aminu Ndakogi Kanko, said the partnership with Falgates Limited is empowering smallholder farmers through an outgrower model that provides quality farm inputs on credit, technical training and a guaranteed market for harvested paddy.
According to him, the arrangement is helping farmers increase productivity, improve incomes and build sustainable livelihoods while contributing to food security and rural economic growth in Niger State.
The Programme Supervisor, Adamu Mohammed, said Falgates sees farmers as long-term partners and remains committed to supporting them with extension services, regular farm supervision and a reliable market that reduces production risks and improves profitability.
One of the beneficiaries, Ndagi Nma Kanko, expressed appreciation for the support, saying the fertilizer would significantly improve yields and the livelihoods of farmers in Wushishi, while expressing optimism that this year’s harvest would surpass previous seasons.
