Food Security Push: Adamawa Govt Approves N2.2 Billion For Dry Season Fertiliser

The Adamawa State Government has approved N2.2 billion for the procurement of assorted fertilisers to support dry-season farming across the state, in a major intervention aimed at sustaining agricultural production and boosting food security.

The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Leader Leneke, disclosed this after the 13th State Executive Council meeting presided over by Governor Ahmadu Fintiri in Yola, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday. The fertiliser approval was part of about N5 billion worth of contracts and procurements approved by the council for development projects and interventions across the state.

Leneke said the council approved N2.198 billion for the procurement of 46,300 bags of assorted fertilisers for the state's dry-season farming. He explained that the procurement was aimed at supporting farmers and sustaining agricultural production by enabling farmers to take advantage of both the rainy and dry seasons. The commissioner also announced that the council approved N78.952 million for the procurement of herbicides and pesticides to support agricultural activities across the state.

The agricultural interventions are designed to provide farmers with key inputs while supporting continued crop production beyond the rainy season, ensuring that farming remains viable throughout the year. This move is particularly significant for Adamawa State, where agriculture forms the backbone of the economy and supports the livelihoods of a vast majority of the population.

The fertiliser approval was one of several contracts and interventions approved at the meeting, covering education, infrastructure, security and other critical sectors. The council also approved N1.752 billion for office blocks at the Adamawa State Post-Primary Schools Management Board in Yola, N627.696 million for roads, drainage and other internal infrastructure at the Mega Science and Technical Secondary School in Hong, and N381.656 million for consulting services for a counter-terrorism base in Madagali. Leneke said the Hong project was part of the state's plan to establish Mega Science and Technical Secondary Schools across the three senatorial districts, while the Madagali project is aimed at strengthening security in the area.

The council also approved the renewal of the state's mining licence, while authorities were directed to intensify flood sensitisation following warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Adamawa is among states expected to experience flooding, particularly communities along the River Benue and River Gongola, and Leneke urged residents in affected areas to remain vigilant and relocate to safer areas when necessary. He also urged residents to report unfamiliar persons and suspected criminals to support security agencies.

The approval comes amid broader Federal Government efforts to improve fertiliser availability and support agricultural production across the country. In June, President Bola Tinubu said the federal government was on course to deliver a 1.1 million metric tonne fertiliser programme to farmers in 2026 as part of efforts to strengthen food security and boost agricultural productivity. Tinubu said more than 449,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser inputs, equivalent to about 9 million bags, had been secured as of May 2026, with 10 vessels discharged or in transit. The President attributed the progress to reforms under the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative, which has been restructured under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI). Under the Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme (RH-FISP), the government is distributing 515,720 bags of locally produced fertiliser to 128,930 smallholder farmers across 25 states and the Federal Capital Territory during the current planting season.

The Adamawa State Government's investment in dry-season farming inputs aligns with these national efforts and represents a strategic approach to addressing food insecurity in the region. By enabling farmers to cultivate crops during the dry season, the intervention not only increases agricultural output but also provides farmers with additional income opportunities and reduces dependence on rain-fed agriculture.

Dry-season farming has become increasingly important in Nigeria as climate change continues to disrupt traditional farming patterns. The ability to farm throughout the year is essential for ensuring food availability and stabilising food prices, particularly in a country where food inflation remains a significant challenge. The provision of fertilisers and other agricultural inputs at scale is a critical enabler of this transition, allowing farmers to maximise their yields and contribute to national food security goals.

Governor Ahmadu Fintiri's administration has consistently prioritised agricultural development as a cornerstone of its economic agenda. The latest approval for fertiliser procurement demonstrates the government's commitment to providing farmers with the resources they need to succeed, while also creating an enabling environment for agricultural growth through infrastructure development and security interventions. As Adamawa State continues to build on its agricultural potential, initiatives like this one will play a vital role in transforming the state into a hub of food production and economic opportunity.