Plateau State Secures 500 Fertiliser Trucks, Slashes Price to ₦20k

The Plateau State Government has announced a major intervention for the 2026 farming season, acquiring approximately 500 truckloads of fertiliser. This initiative includes a substantial subsidy, which will see a 50kg bag of fertiliser sold to farmers across the state's 17 local government areas for ₦20,000.

Governor Caleb Mutfwang revealed this development in Jos on Monday, framing it as a crucial component of his administration’s dedication to agricultural transformation, ensuring food security, and fostering economic empowerment within the state. According to a statement released by Dr. Gyang Bere, the Governor's Director of Press and Public Affairs, the programme is specifically designed to alleviate the burden of escalating production costs and significantly boost agricultural output.

Governor Mutfwang was quoted in the statement, affirming, “The Plateau State Government has procured approximately 500 truckloads of fertiliser for distribution to farmers across the 17 Local Government Areas of the state. The intervention is designed to reduce the high cost of agricultural production, enhance farmers’ productivity, and strengthen food security throughout Plateau State.”

To make the fertiliser more accessible, Governor Mutfwang approved a significant subsidy, bringing the price of a 50kg bag down from the current market rates of between ₦50,000 and ₦53,000 to just ₦20,000. The statement further emphasized, “To ensure that farmers have timely access to quality farming inputs at affordable prices, Governor Mutfwang has further approved a substantial subsidy on the fertilisers.” This subsidy is effective immediately, ensuring farmers can acquire these essential inputs as the planting season progresses.

The governor has directed the immediate commencement of sales for the subsidised fertiliser, with the official launch of the 2026 Fertiliser Subsidy Programme scheduled for Friday, July 10, 2026. Mutfwang reiterated that agriculture remains a cornerstone of his administration’s development agenda, serving as a primary driver for economic growth, job creation, and rural development.

He explained that the subsidy was introduced in direct response to farmers’ concerns over the rising costs of farming inputs, reflecting the government’s determination to enhance the productivity and profitability of agriculture. The governor expressed confidence that the programme would effectively reduce production expenses, improve crop yields, increase farmers’ incomes, and contribute significantly to the state’s pursuit of food self-sufficiency.

Mutfwang also highlighted the initiative’s alignment with the Federal Government’s agricultural development objectives under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that it complements broader national efforts to mitigate the impact of economic hardships while simultaneously increasing food production nationwide. Governor Mutfwang urged farmers across the state to capitalize on this subsidy programme, assuring them of his administration’s ongoing support for policies and initiatives aimed at improving agricultural productivity and rural livelihoods.

Plateau State is recognized as a leading agricultural producer in Nigeria, known for cultivating various crops such as Irish potatoes, maize, tomatoes, vegetables, and fruits. However, increasing fertiliser prices and other production costs have presented significant challenges for local farmers in recent years. Fertiliser subsidy programmes continue to be a critical strategy adopted by both federal and state governments to boost food production, enhance farmers’ efficiency, and strengthen national food security.