By Faridat Salifu
The Federal Government has shortlisted 12,000 farmers in Gombe State for its 2026 dry-season rice and wheat production programme as part of efforts to increase food output and strengthen year-round agricultural production.
The Gombe State Coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Anyim Joseph, disclosed this on Saturday, while reviewing the ministry’s activities in the state.
Joseph said the selected farmers would receive agricultural inputs once approval was secured for the commencement of distribution.
“We shortlisted 12,000 farmers for the dry season intervention programme, and we are awaiting approval to begin distribution of the inputs to them,” he said.
The intervention forms part of the Federal Government’s support for rainfed and dry-season farming, with the ministry providing farmers with inputs, equipment and other services aimed at increasing productivity.
Joseph said 10,000 farmers had already received fertilisers, seeds and chemicals during the current cropping season.
He added that farmers had also benefited from equipment including power tillers and solar-powered irrigation facilities, designed to improve access to mechanised farming and reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture.
Irrigation infrastructure expands
Joseph said the government was also developing a dam in Balanga, which he said would support irrigation, create fishing opportunities and generate employment.
According to him, the infrastructure was part of broader efforts to strengthen food production while creating additional sources of income for rural communities.
He said the interventions were intended to equip smallholder farmers with modern farming skills and improve wealth creation in rural areas.
The coordinator added that increased participation in agriculture had created jobs for young people and helped reduce idleness and criminal activities in some communities.
He urged farmers to make effective use of the inputs and equipment provided by government to improve production and strengthen food security.
Farmers receive fertiliser and market support
The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Gombe State, Sadeeq Ahmed, said more than 200,000 bags of assorted fertilisers had been distributed to 5,000 farmers during the current cropping season.
He said the distribution was carried out in collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture.
Ahmed also disclosed that the bank had introduced a Guaranteed Minimum Price scheme aimed at protecting farmers from losses and addressing concerns around commodity prices.
He said warehouses and weighbridges had also been established to improve the measurement and preservation of agricultural produce.
According to him, the measures would give farmers opportunities to sell their produce at protected prices while reducing post-harvest losses.
He added that the National Agricultural Land Development Authority had introduced free services including land clearing, harrowing and harvesting for dry-season farmers.
On livestock production, Ahmed welcomed the establishment of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development, saying it could improve coordination within the sector and contribute to addressing farmer-herder conflicts.
Jigawa receives fertiliser intervention
In neighbouring Jigawa State, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security Coordinator, Auwalu Isa, said 5,040 farmers had received 20,160 bags of fertiliser under the 2026 Presidential Fertiliser Intervention.
The allocation comprised 15,120 bags of NPK fertiliser and 5,040 bags of urea, with each farmer receiving four bags.
Isa said 3,040 farmers selected through AFAN received 12,160 bags, while another 2,000 farmers selected through state government agencies received 8,000 bags.
He said smallholder farmers in Jigawa had also received farming equipment and implements in 2025, including mini combine harvesters, power tillers, threshers, planters and motorised weeders.
The intervention also included chemicals, organic fertilisers and 2,000 date palm seedlings distributed to farmers’ groups.
Government distributes food to vulnerable groups
To help cushion food inflation, Isa said the Federal Government distributed 714 bags of maize flour to women’s cooperatives, internally displaced persons, persons living with disabilities and correctional centres in Jigawa.
Women’s cooperatives and persons living with disabilities received 143 bags each, while IDPs received 285 bags and correctional facilities received 143 bags.
The distribution was carried out under the 2026 Renewed Hope National Accelerated Cassava Production Programme.
Isa said preliminary feedback from earlier interventions indicated positive results, although the ministry had yet to compile its latest harvest report.
