President has praised the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) for its growing role in supporting Nigerian farmers through improved access to fertilisers and modern agricultural services, describing the intervention as a key pillar of the federal government’s food security strategy.
In a statement issued from the State House, the President highlighted the impact of the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (RH-FISP), an initiative designed to help smallholder farmers increase productivity, improve crop yields and contribute to national food sufficiency.
According to the President, ensuring food security remains one of the central priorities of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and the success of programmes such as RH-FISP demonstrates the government’s determination to strengthen domestic agricultural production and reduce dependence on imported food products.
Tinubu noted that while significant progress has been made in boosting local fertiliser production through the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI), the true challenge lies in ensuring that fertiliser reaches farmers at the grassroots level when it is most needed during planting seasons.
The President explained that the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative, now reorganised under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), has improved the procurement, blending and local production of fertilisers across the country. However, he stressed that availability alone is not enough without an efficient distribution system capable of reaching rural farming communities.
Through the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme, NADF is currently distributing more than 515,000 bags of locally produced fertiliser to approximately 128,930 smallholder farmers across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The intervention is expected to boost crop production during the current farming season and improve food availability nationwide.
Agricultural experts believe that timely access to fertiliser can significantly increase yields for staple crops such as rice, maize, cassava and soybean, which remain critical to Nigeria’s food supply chain. The programme is therefore expected to contribute to efforts aimed at lowering food shortages and improving rural livelihoods.
The initiative is being coordinated by the Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, whose agency has expanded support services to farmers through strategic partnerships and targeted agricultural interventions. Beyond fertiliser distribution, the fund has introduced programmes aimed at improving extension services, farmer education and access to modern agricultural technologies.
President Tinubu also commended the organisation’s efforts to promote digital agricultural solutions. These include technology-driven extension services that provide farmers with real-time guidance on best farming practices, fertiliser application techniques and crop management strategies.
The administration believes that the integration of technology into agriculture will help farmers make informed decisions, improve productivity and reduce losses associated with poor agronomic practices.
According to the President, the government’s agricultural support programmes are designed not only to increase production but also to build resilience within the sector. He noted that recent global supply chain disruptions, rising input costs and climate-related challenges have underscored the need for Nigeria to strengthen domestic food production capacity.
Tinubu stated that his administration inherited significant challenges within the agricultural sector but has continued to implement reforms and interventions aimed at supporting farmers, increasing investment and improving food availability across the country.
He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that agriculture remains a major driver of economic growth, employment generation and poverty reduction. The President added that empowering smallholder farmers is particularly important because they account for a substantial portion of Nigeria’s food production.
The government’s broader agricultural agenda includes improving access to financing, expanding irrigation infrastructure, promoting mechanised farming, strengthening agricultural value chains and encouraging private-sector participation in food production.
Stakeholders within the sector have welcomed the fertiliser distribution programme, noting that access to affordable farm inputs remains one of the biggest challenges facing farmers. Rising production costs and inflation have increased pressure on rural households, making government support initiatives increasingly important.
Analysts say interventions such as RH-FISP could help cushion the effects of rising agricultural costs while increasing productivity and strengthening national food security. They also argue that sustained investment in local fertiliser production and distribution will reduce vulnerability to international market shocks and support long-term agricultural development.
As the planting season progresses across many parts of the country, expectations remain high that the programme will translate into higher harvests, improved farmer incomes and greater food availability for millions of Nigerians.
The President concluded by reiterating that his administration remains committed to fulfilling its promise of making food security a cornerstone of national development, while ensuring that farmers receive the support necessary to drive Nigeria’s agricultural transformation and economic growth.
