By Rasheeda Hamidu
The Federal Government has launched the nationwide distribution of improved cowpea, groundnut and sesame seeds to support farmers affected by seed shortages and delayed rainfall during the 2026 farming season.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, announced the intervention on Thursday in Jigawa State, saying the programme was approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to help affected farmers make use of the remaining planting window.
Kyari said the intervention was designed as a national response to climate-related disruptions affecting farming communities across northern and southern Nigeria, particularly states experiencing irregular rainfall.
He explained that many farmers suffered losses after early rains were followed by prolonged dry spells that damaged crops already planted, resulting in losses of seeds, fertiliser, labour and income.
“The rains came this season, and the rains held back. Farmers who had planted in good faith watched their fields fail,” Kyari said.
According to the minister, each participating state will receive 32 metric tonnes of certified cowpea seed, nine metric tonnes of certified groundnut seed and 8.35 metric tonnes of certified sesame seed, which will be distributed to identified farming communities according to need.
Kyari said about 5,000 smallholder farming households in Jigawa State are expected to benefit from the first phase, adding that the selected crops were short-duration varieties capable of maturing within the remaining rainfall period.
He noted that all seeds under the programme were certified by the National Agricultural Seed Council, which is responsible for seed quality testing, regulation of approved varieties and efforts to prevent the circulation of counterfeit seeds.
The minister said the intervention forms part of broader efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s seed system through improved variety registration, laboratory capacity and digital seed traceability under the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy.
Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, represented by his deputy, Engr Aminu Usman Gumel, commended the Federal Government for the intervention, saying it would help reduce the effects of delayed rainfall and support affected farmers.
The National Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) also welcomed the programme on behalf of farmers and urged beneficiaries to make effective use of the seeds to support food production.
NatureNews notes that delayed rainfall and prolonged dry spells can disrupt planting calendars, damage crops and increase pressure on food systems, making climate-resilient seeds and timely agricultural support increasingly important for Nigerian farmers.
NatureNews reports that strengthening access to certified improved seeds and other climate-smart agricultural inputs remains critical to protecting farm livelihoods and advancing food security amid increasing climate variability in Nigeria.
