By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has launched the distribution of more than 10 million bags of fertiliser and unveiled a Guaranteed Price Model aimed at protecting two million smallholder farmers from market volatility while boosting food production nationwide.
The initiative was inaugurated by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, during a ceremony held in Zaria, Kaduna State, on Friday.
Kyari said the programme is being implemented under the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund (RH-SVCF), describing it as a major shift in agricultural support that goes beyond the supply of farm inputs.
According to him in a statement by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Head, Department of Information, the new model ensures that farmers receive support throughout the production cycle, from planting to harvest and marketing.
He explained that every participating farmer will be linked to a Farmer Aggregation Company, with Arzikin Noma leading the pilot phase in Zaria. The companies will provide certified seeds, fertiliser, extension services and guaranteed access to markets through a government-approved minimum price.
The minister said the Guaranteed Minimum Price would protect farmers from exploitative buyers by ensuring that produce is not sold below an approved price floor.
Kyari noted that one-third of the programme’s beneficiaries are women and stressed that timely delivery of inputs at the onset of the rainy season would help improve yields and prevent late planting.
He said the initiative would also strengthen local value chains through investments in processing, enabling more agricultural produce to be processed within Nigeria to enhance food security.
Highlighting Zaria’s agricultural heritage, the minister said the programme builds on decades of research carried out at the Institute for Agricultural Research in Samaru by connecting innovation directly to farmers.
Kyari commended the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Mr. Ayodeji Oludare Sotinrin, for ensuring prompt delivery of inputs, adding that Arzikin Noma has expanded its farmer network from fewer than 3,000 to over 400,000, with a target of one million farmers by 2030.
He reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting farmers throughout the farming season, saying the success of the programme would be measured by improved outcomes rather than promises.
In his remarks, Group Managing Director of Arzikin Noma Africa, High Chief Adeoluwa Michael Adeshola, said sustainable agricultural transformation requires collaboration among government, financial institutions, development partners, traditional institutions and the private sector.
Also speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, Mr. Ayodeji Oludare Sotinrin, said the bank is building an integrated agricultural ecosystem that provides farmers with quality inputs, affordable financing, mechanisation support, aggregation systems and reliable market access.
Sotinrin disclosed that the programme targets two million smallholder farmers nationwide and will deploy more than 10 million bags of fertiliser alongside improved seeds.
He revealed that nearly 300,000 farmers have already been enrolled, while over 1.1 million bags of fertiliser and 16,470 metric tonnes of improved seeds are being distributed through 20 Farmer Aggregation Companies operating across more than 20 states with support from 15 accredited input suppliers.
The event was attended by the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, traditional rulers, development partners and farmers from within and outside Kaduna State.
