The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has commenced the nationwide distribution of fertilisers, improved maize seeds and crop protection products to about 500,000 smallholder farmers under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund.
The initiative, which spans more than 20 states, is expected to support the cultivation of approximately 520,000 hectares of farmland and generate an estimated 2.6 million tonnes of additional food production, as part of efforts to improve food security and reduce food prices across Nigeria.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony at Karau-Karau in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BOA, Ayo Sotinrin, represented by the bank’s Divisional Head of Finance and Strategy, Osho Adekunle, said the programme is designed to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural productivity by providing direct support to smallholder farmers.
According to a statement issued by the bank’s Head of Operations Lead, Office of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Adam Mohammed, the intervention is one of the flagship agricultural programmes under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Sotinrin said the initiative is expected to significantly boost the country’s food production by expanding cultivated farmland and increasing crop yields across participating states.
He disclosed that the programme has already achieved significant milestones, with nearly 200,000 farmers receiving financial support. In addition, about 1.8 million bags of fertiliser and 329,000 bags of improved, high-yield maize seeds are being distributed through 20 Farmer Aggregation Companies operating in more than 20 states.
According to him, the intervention demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting farmers through practical measures rather than policy declarations alone.
Sotinrin also noted that the programme prioritises inclusiveness, with more than one-third of the beneficiaries being women, reflecting the government’s commitment to empowering female farmers and promoting equitable participation in agriculture.
He reaffirmed BOA’s commitment to serving as the Federal Government’s primary institution for delivering agricultural interventions directly to farmers nationwide.
The BOA chief urged beneficiaries to make proper use of the farm inputs by following recommended agronomic practices, keeping accurate farm records and reporting any challenges encountered during the farming season to ensure the success of the programme.
The intervention forms part of the Federal Government’s broader strategy to increase domestic food production, reduce reliance on food imports and cushion the impact of rising production costs on farmers.
By providing subsidised fertilisers, improved seeds and crop protection products, the government aims to improve crop yields, enhance farmers’ productivity and strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Solomon Mathew described the intervention as timely, noting that it would ease the financial burden caused by the rising cost of agricultural inputs.
He expressed optimism that the support would enable farmers to cultivate larger portions of their farmland, increase harvests, improve household incomes and enhance food availability across the country. He also appealed to the Federal Government to sustain the programme in future farming seasons.
