Gov Lawal Launches 2026 Farming Season, Distributes 72,000 Bags of Fertiliser to Zamfara Farmers

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has flagged off the 2026 wet-season farming programme with the distribution of 72,000 bags of fertiliser and other agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers across the state as part of efforts to boost food production and strengthen agricultural livelihoods.

The launch, held on Friday at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, marked the commencement of a large-scale intervention designed to support farmers ahead of the planting season.

The event attracted farmers, traditional rulers, agricultural extension workers, government officials and other stakeholders, as the state government unveiled what it described as one of its most comprehensive agricultural support initiatives.

Beyond fertiliser distribution, the intervention package includes 200,000 litres of herbicides, 100 crop residue crushers, 100 grass choppers, 100 feed milling machines, improved pasture seeds, 20 motorcycles and 20 mobile phones for agricultural extension officers to enhance service delivery and field monitoring.

According to the state government, the programme will benefit communities across all 147 political wards in the state’s 14 local government areas. Under the distribution formula, each ward will receive 340 bags of fertiliser, while every local government area has been allocated 8,000 litres of herbicides to support crop production.

Addressing participants at the ceremony, Governor Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to transforming agriculture into the backbone of Zamfara’s economy, describing farming as an integral part of the state’s history, culture and economic survival.

He noted that Zamfara remains one of Nigeria’s most agriculturally endowed states, with vast arable land and a resilient farming population capable of driving economic growth if adequately supported.

The governor said his administration was determined to move the sector beyond subsistence farming by promoting mechanisation, improved access to farm inputs, expanded irrigation, climate-smart agriculture, efficient extension services and stronger market opportunities for farmers.

Lawal also linked agricultural development to broader efforts to tackle poverty, unemployment and insecurity, stressing that empowering farmers would help restore livelihoods and stimulate rural economies.

Speaking on security, the governor said the gradual return of peace to many communities had enabled displaced residents to return to their homes and resume farming activities.

He explained that the government’s responsibility was to sustain the improving security situation by creating an environment where agriculture could flourish through sustained investments and strategic support.

The governor also highlighted the state’s collaboration with the Federal Government and development partners, noting that prompt payment of counterpart funding had positioned Zamfara to benefit from several agricultural programmes.

He listed initiatives such as FADAMA III, NG-CARES, SPIN, ZACADEP, the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme and projects supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development as interventions that have provided farmers with improved seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, irrigation facilities, equipment and technical support.

Lawal further pointed to the establishment of the Zamfara State Agriculture Hub in Kwatarkwashi, Bungudu Local Government Area, describing it as a key component of the state’s long-term agricultural transformation strategy and a platform for encouraging mechanised farming and private sector investment.

The governor urged beneficiaries to make judicious use of the distributed inputs, assuring them that the government would closely monitor the exercise to ensure transparency and prevent diversion.

He maintained that his administration remained committed to implementing practical policies capable of repositioning Zamfara as a major agricultural producer and contributor to Nigeria’s food security.

Many of the farmers who attended the launch expressed appreciation for the intervention, describing it as one of the most extensive agricultural support programmes implemented in recent years.

They said the timely distribution of fertiliser and other farm inputs had renewed their confidence ahead of the planting season and raised expectations of increased productivity and improved harvests across the state.