…Rolls out major support for 100,000 farmers
Governor Uba Sani, of Kaduna State, has officially launched the 2025 Fertilizer Distribution Exercise, disbursing 400 trucks of fertilizer to 100,000 smallholder farmers across the state as part of a broader agricultural transformation agenda.
The flag-off ceremony, held at Murtala Square in Kaduna, reflects the state government’s expanding commitment to food security, rural development, and inclusive economic growth.
Each of the small-holder farmers will receive two bags of fertilizer free of charge, with the governor noting that Kaduna remains the only state where such inputs are consistently distributed at no cost to vulnerable farming communities.
“For our commercial farmers, we are providing access to 10 bags of fertilizer per farmer at a 40% subsidized rate of ₦30,000 per bag”, Governor Sani announced. “This is aimed at lowering production costs, boosting job creation, and stabilizing commodity prices”, he stated.
He also disclosed that all 100,000 beneficiaries are being enrolled in a crop risk insurance scheme to shield them from losses arising from climate-related challenges, pests, and diseases.
The Governor praised the recent improvements in security across Kaduna, which he said has enabled the recovery of previously unsafe farmlands. He revealed that over 20,000 hectares of such land are being cleared and equipped with modern irrigation systems to facilitate year-round farming.
Reaffirming his administration’s campaign promise to elevate agriculture as the cornerstone of Kaduna’s economic revival, Governor Sani highlighted the dramatic rise in budgetary allocation to the sector. From just ₦1.48 billion in 2023, the agricultural budget soared to ₦74.02 billion in 2025, now representing 10% of the state’s total expenditure. He added that with proposed supplementary budget increases, agriculture’s share could exceed 14%—in line with the African Union (AU)’s Malabo Declaration.
Other key achievements outlined during the speech include: The state’s historic 2024 fertilizer distribution, involving over 500 trucks; Launch of a Dry Season Agricultural Empowerment Program providing essential inputs and equipment; Mechanization initiatives deploying over 200 tractors through private partnerships.
Others are: Rehabilitation of rural roads to improve market access; Establishment of a Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) in collaboration with AfDB and the Federal Government, and Ongoing development of the Agricultural Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC) to support global export compliance.
“This fertilizer distribution is not a stand-alone event,” Sani emphasized. “It is part of a strategic, systems-based approach to agricultural transformation—from farm to market, and from food security to global competitiveness”.
He urged farmers to use the inputs responsibly and praised distribution committees, traditional leaders, farmer associations, and civil society groups for ensuring a transparent and fair process.
The Governor concluded by thanking development partners, his agricultural team, and Kaduna’s resilient farmers, saying, “Together, we will continue building a Kaduna State where agriculture is not just a way of life, but a pathway to prosperity”.
