The federal government has distributed 20,160 bags of fertilisers to farmers in Lagos State to support food production during the current planting season.

The intervention is being implemented through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The programme is being carried out in 26 states to improve crop production and strengthen national food security.

Speaking at the distribution ceremony on Friday, the Lagos commissioner for agriculture and food systems, Abisola Olusanya, said 12,090 bags were allocated to 3,040 members of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).

She said the remaining 8,070 bags would be distributed to other farming clusters across the state based on their production needs.

Ms Olusanya commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for prioritising food security through sustained agricultural interventions.

She said the federal government had continued supporting farmers through mechanisation, land clearing, fertiliser distribution and agricultural financing.

“Farmers are the bedrock of the nation. Supporting and empowering them is critical to ensuring food security and economic growth,” she said.

Ms Olusanya said the ministry would ensure transparent distribution after assessing the number of farmers and crops cultivated in each cluster.

The NADF representative, Abayomi Osunsanya, urged beneficiaries to use the fertilisers effectively to increase food production.

He described the intervention as part of efforts to support farmers during the planting season and improve national food output.

“The federal government has provided these inputs to enhance productivity. We expect them to increase yields and strengthen food security,” he said.

Also, the Lagos coordinator of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Banjo Adeniyi, said farmers received the fertilisers at the appropriate time.

According to him, the ministry has also distributed improved tomato and pepper seeds, organic fertilisers and farm machinery.

Mr Adeniyi said additional equipment, including dehydrators, would soon be distributed to farmers.

He said beneficiaries were verified to ensure only genuine farmers received the intervention.

Mr Adeniyi expressed confidence that the support would boost agricultural productivity and improve food availability nationwide. 

(NAN)