Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has officially launched the 2026 Fertilizer and Farm Inputs Sales and Distribution Exercise, announcing a 51 per cent subsidy on fertilizer to support farmers across the state.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the governor disclosed that the subsidy has reduced the cost of a bag of fertilizer to ₦28,000, a move aimed at easing the financial burden on farmers and boosting agricultural production.
According to him, the initiative is designed to empower farmers, lower production costs, increase food output, create employment opportunities, and strengthen rural economies across the state.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining Benue’s position as Nigeria’s Food Basket, noting that efforts are being intensified to enhance agricultural productivity through land aggregation, improved access to quality farm inputs, better rural road networks, irrigation farming, agro-processing, and increased opportunities for youths and women in agribusiness.
The governor stated that the fertilizer distribution programme would cover all 23 local government areas of the state, assuring residents that strict transparency measures have been put in place to ensure that genuine farmers benefit from the scheme.
He warned that the government would not tolerate diversion of farm inputs, exploitation of beneficiaries, or any form of malpractice capable of undermining the programme.
Describing agriculture as the backbone of Benue’s economy, the governor said the state is determined to strengthen its agricultural sector and position itself as a leading agricultural powerhouse in Africa.
He urged farmers to take advantage of the intervention by cultivating more land and increasing food production, stressing that the government remains committed to supporting them in creating wealth and building a more prosperous future for the state.
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