Kaduna to Distribute 400 Trucks of Free Fertilizer to 100,000 Smallholder Farmers 🚜🌱

Unprecedented Agricultural Support

Kaduna State government, under Governor Uba Sani, has unveiled an ambitious plan to support 100,000 smallholder farmers by distributing 400 truckloads of free fertilizer across all 23 local government areas. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to boost food security, reduce production costs, and promote rural livelihoods. Dabo noted that the rollout will begin with around 300 truckloads, with full targets expected soon .

Inclusive Oversight and Transparency

To ensure fair beneficiary selection and transparent distribution, the state launched a multi-stakeholder committee. It includes representatives from religious and traditional institutions, civil society, labour unions, local officials, security agencies, and anti-corruption bodies. Similar teams will be replicated at grassroots levels to monitor delivery and verify recipients .

Fertilizer & Insurance Coverage

Under the plan:

1. Smallholder farmers will receive two free bags of fertilizer each.
2. Commercial agribusinesses will access fertilizer at a 60% subsidy, paying about ₦30,000 per bag to foster larger-scale production .
3. To mitigate climate risks, all beneficiaries are automatically enrolled in a crop insurance scheme to protect against pests, drought, and other shocks .

Enabling Infrastructure & New Farmland

Kaduna is also investing in reclaiming and preparing 20,000 hectares of previously underutilised farmland, particularly in areas formerly disrupted by insecurity. The government is building rainwater harvesting and basic irrigation systems to enable year-round cultivation and sustainable yields .

Broader Agricultural Budget & Support

This fertilizer drive is part of a larger agricultural transformation in Kaduna. As of 2025, the state allocated ₦74.2 billion (about 9.36% of the total budget) to agriculture—an exceptional 5,000% increase compared to the previous administration’s ₦1.48 billion in 2023. Nearly all of this (97.7%) supports capital projects like mechanisation infrastructure, irrigation, and agro-processing facilities .

Other highlights include:

1. Support for 69,000 farmers under the “Tallafin Noma (A Koma Gona)” programme, providing quality maize seeds and agrochemicals.
2. Distribution of farm implements to cooperatives, including solar-powered water pumps, knapsack sprayers, herbicides, and pesticides delivered in March 2025 under the Dry Season Agricultural Empowerment Programme .
3. Ongoing procurement of mechanisation assets including tractors via public-private partnerships to ensure sustainability and wider reach for farmers .
4. Development of the Agricultural Quality Assurance Centre (AQAC) in collaboration with Afrexim Bank and the Special Agro‑Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) to improve product quality, post-harvest handling, and export competitiveness under the AfCFTA framework .

Why It Matters

1. Food Security: By empowering rural farmers with essential inputs and risk protection, Kaduna aims to stabilize local food supply and reduce dependency on imports.
2. Economic Growth: Lower production costs and increased mechanisation encourage agribusiness expansion, job creation, and local value addition.
3. Development Leadership: Kaduna stands out among Nigerian states for not only meeting, but exceeding, regional agricultural investment benchmarks, making it a model for sustainable rural development.

Outlook & Challenges

While the fertilizer distribution is a major step, ensuring equitable access across the entire state—and preventing diversion—will be key to its success. Effective grassroots monitoring, working alongside traditional institutions and civil society, will be essential. Additionally, maintaining the fuel and logistical support required for irrigation and equipment use remains an ongoing concern.

Bottom Line:

Kaduna’s rollout of 400 truckloads of free fertilizer, combined with crop insurance, mechanisation support, and new farmland infrastructure, demonstrates the most significant agricultural intervention in its history. As smallholder farmers prepare to return to their fields with unprecedented support, Kaduna is positioning itself as a national leader in food security and rural empowerment.