The Kaduna State Government has commenced the distribution of free fertiliser to 150,000 smallholder farmers for the 2026 wet season, with redemption taking place across 69 centres in the state’s 23 Local Government Areas.
The intervention is aimed at providing essential farm inputs to smallholder farmers, boosting agricultural productivity and strengthening food security in Kaduna State.
The exercise, which began in eight Local Government Areas is being implemented through an IT-based system designed to improve transparency and ensure that only verified beneficiaries receive the inputs.
Profiled farmers receive text messages directing them to designated redemption centres.
At the centres, their coupon codes are verified, photographs and documents captured, before two bags of fertiliser are released to each beneficiary.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, says the fertiliser has been deployed to warehouses across the state, with security and IT personnel stationed at the redemption centres.
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The Commissioner urged beneficiaries to take the fertiliser directly to their farms to improve productivity, livelihoods and food security.
He also warned against the sale or diversion of the inputs, saying anyone found engaging in such practice would face arrest and prosecution.
Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, says the state’s agricultural budget has increased significantly under the current administration, while improved security has enabled farmers to return to previously inaccessible farmland.
The state government says it is also supporting farmers with tractors, solar-powered boreholes and pumping machines for both wet- and dry-season farming.
The fertiliser redemption exercise is expected to be completed within two months across the 69 centres.
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(Editor: Anoyoyo Ogiagboviogie)
