By Abdullahi Lukman
The Adamawa State Government has invested N2 billion in agricultural inputs ahead of the 2025 farming season, as part of a strategic intervention to address food insecurity and empower unemployed youths across the state.
Commissioner for Agriculture, Prof. David Jatau, disclosed this on Monday in Yola during an interview with journalists.
He said that the initiative is to support farmers and engage 300 youths in each of the state’s 21 local government areas through access to subsidized fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides.
According to Jatau, the programme includes the development of 300 hectares of farmland per LGA, which will be allocated to selected youths.
“These young people will receive the necessary inputs at subsidized rates and will keep the entire proceeds from their harvests,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the intervention is designed not only to boost food production but also to tackle the root causes of insecurity, which he linked to poverty, hunger, and youth unemployment.
Jatau revealed that the programme has already started in six LGAs—Madagali, Michika, Hong, Maiha, Demsa, and Ganye—with 10,000 bags of assorted fertilizers ready for immediate distribution.
The remaining LGAs are to be covered by the next rainy season, he said, stressing that this year’s intervention marks a shift toward earlier support for farmers, ensuring timely access to inputs to increase crop yields and improve productivity.
The commissioner said in addition to providing materials, the programme is to train beneficiaries in climate-smart agriculture, adding that farmers are to learn techniques such as soil testing, proper fertilizer application, and crop management to maximize yield.
Jatau acknowledged support from development partners, particularly the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC), which has donated modern agricultural tools including handheld harvesters, planters, and cultivators to cooperatives.
He disclosed that a partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is underway to further strengthen community-level agricultural efforts.