Federal Government Extends Agricultural Support to Over 5,000 Gombe Farmers

A significant number of 5,642 smallholder farmers in Gombe State have become beneficiaries of the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund. This development follows the official launch of the distribution of vital agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, ahead of the 2026 wet farming season.

This crucial initiative is a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Bank of Agriculture, and Algir Integrated Services Limited. Its primary objectives are to significantly boost national food production, enhance farmers' access to high-quality inputs, and fortify agricultural value chains across Nigeria. The Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund stands as a flagship agricultural intervention under the broader Renewed Hope Agenda, designed to provide smallholder farmers nationwide with improved access to quality farm inputs, affordable financing, extension services, aggregation facilities, and structured market opportunities.

Mr. Ayo Sotinrin, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, whose remarks were delivered by Hajiya Rabi Kabir at the event, characterized the program as a vital intervention. He emphasized that it is designed to alleviate the sole burden of agricultural production from Nigerian farmers. In his goodwill message, Sotinrin highlighted that the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund offers not only farm inputs but also comprehensive support encompassing financing, extension services, aggregation, and guaranteed market access.

“Every farming season begins with an act of faith. For too long, the Nigerian farmer has carried that faith alone. Today’s gathering is the answer to that solitude… this time, you do not plant alone,” Sotinrin stated. He further revealed that the program aims to reach two million smallholder farmers across the country, with nearly 200,000 farmers already having received financing. Nationally, over 1.1 million bags of fertiliser have been distributed, working towards a target of more than 10 million bags, alongside the deployment of 16,470 metric tonnes of certified seeds. He added that 20 Farmer Aggregation Companies are actively coordinating implementation in over 20 states, in partnership with 15 input suppliers.

Sotinrin underscored that the intervention extends beyond mere input distribution, offering financial aid, extension support, and guaranteed produce offtake. “This fund does not stop at giving inputs; it follows the farmer through the season. Financing at planting, extension support through cultivation, and at harvest, guaranteed aggregation and offtake at fair value so that the reward of hard work is never lost to a distressed market,” he explained. He strongly advised farmers to view the distributed inputs as productive investments rather than free handouts. “Receive these inputs for what they truly are—working capital. They are financed and repaid through your harvest. Protect the programme so that it continues to benefit future farmers,” he urged.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Garba Lawan, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Algir Integrated Services Limited, expressed that his company's selection as a Farmer Aggregation Company under the program signifies confidence in their capability to provide transparent and accountable services. He elaborated that Algir Integrated Services was established to bridge the gap between government agricultural financing and grassroots farmers, noting that the company has been authorized to procure and distribute approximately 600,000 units of fertiliser and certified agricultural inputs under the scheme.

Mr. Lawan lauded the leadership of the Bank of Agriculture for introducing reforms aimed at transforming agricultural financing in Nigeria. He identified the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund, the Guaranteed Minimum Intake Price Policy, and the National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme as three flagship initiatives of the current BOA management. According to Lawan, these programs are instrumental in helping farmers secure affordable credit, access guaranteed markets, and embrace modern mechanisation. He also reassured beneficiaries that only certified agricultural inputs of the highest quality were being distributed, specifically mentioning brands like Golden NPK fertiliser, Indorama and Dangote urea, WACOT agrochemicals, and Seed Co improved seeds, all approved by the Bank of Agriculture.

The Algir managing director further stressed that the timely delivery of these inputs, occurring before the peak planting season, is expected to significantly enhance productivity during the 2026 wet season. He described the intervention as “the difference between a good harvest and a missed season.”

In his remarks, Mr. Elkanah Gurati, the Chairman of the Maize Farmers Association, welcomed the partnership between the Bank of Agriculture and Algir Integrated Services Limited. He conveyed his optimism that this intervention would substantially strengthen food production and enhance food security within Gombe State. “This will improve food security in the state. It will go a long way in supporting farmers in the state,” Gurati affirmed.