The National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, has rolled out an emergency agricultural intervention for onion farmers affected by recent flood disasters, distributing vital farming inputs to 2,000 beneficiaries across Borno, Yobe, Sokoto and Kebbi states in a coordinated, multi-state exercise.
The intervention, carried out simultaneously in the four states, aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and targets farmers whose livelihoods were severely disrupted by flooding in 2024. It is designed to help them return to production quickly and stabilise the onion value chain.
Each beneficiary received four 50kg bags of 15-15-15 NPK fertiliser, three packs of red and white onion seeds, as well as insecticides and herbicides to support pest and weed control during the farming season.
Governors of the benefiting states welcomed the initiative, pledging sustained collaboration with the Federal Government and agricultural stakeholders to strengthen value chains, boost economic growth, create jobs and reduce poverty.
The Borno State flag-off took place on Tuesday at the Borno Fertilizer Company Limited/Farm Centre in Maiduguri.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, described the programme as a decisive federal intervention aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and reinforcing Nigeria’s food ecosystem.
Represented by the Lead, Public Partnerships, Shettima Lawan, Ibrahim noted that post-harvest losses remain a major challenge eroding farmers’ incomes and national agricultural productivity, making the intervention both timely and necessary.
He explained that the first phase of the programme underscores NADF’s commitment to supporting vulnerable farming communities, especially those grappling with climate-related shocks such as flooding.
“This intervention, which directly benefits over 2,000 onion farmers, is a significant step toward recovery,” Ibrahim said.
“The onion value chain is a strategic subsector that supports livelihoods, nutrition and rural economic development, yet many farmers have suffered devastating losses from unprecedented flooding.”
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He added that farmers in Sokoto, Kebbi, Yobe and Borno were among the hardest hit, with losses that threatened household incomes, disrupted local markets and affected national food supply.
In response, he said, NADF worked with state governments and key stakeholders to design a targeted emergency programme to restore production capacity, strengthen resilience and ensure farmers return to their fields without delay.
“This comprehensive onion intervention begins today with the input distribution as its first phase. It is fully aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises rebuilding and strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem,” Ibrahim stated.
Declaring the exercise open, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Hon. Bawu Musami Alhaji, described the intervention as a lifeline for smallholder farmers who are central to food security in the state.
He said at least 450 onion farmers in Borno would benefit, while the remaining 1,550 beneficiaries were drawn from Yobe, Sokoto and Kebbi states affected by the 2024 floods.
“On behalf of the Borno State Government and my fellow governors, we express deep appreciation to NADF for the political will and financial commitment behind this timely intervention,” Zulum said. “It reflects responsive governance that listens to farmers and acts decisively to protect Nigeria’s food system.”
He cautioned beneficiaries against selling the distributed items, urging them to use the inputs strictly for farming to improve productivity and livelihoods.
Speaking for the beneficiaries, the Borno State Chairman of the Onion Farmers, Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Dunoma Goni Adam, said the intervention brought much-needed relief to committed farmers.
He noted that the support would help address challenges faced in the previous farming season and expressed optimism that it would significantly improve onion production and enhance farmers’ incomes across the affected states.
National Accord Newspaper
