Benue Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Nathaniel Daspan, has appealed for increased agricultural inputs, saying the state’s current allocation is inadequate to meet farmers’ growing needs.

Mr Daspan, during an interview on Saturday in Makurdi, stated that the office monitors agricultural activities and coordinates distribution of Federal Government-supplied agricultural inputs across Benue State.

He explained that the ministry procures farm inputs, including fertilisers, improved seeds, herbicides and insecticides, and distributes them to states for allocation to farmers in line with approved guidelines.

According to him, the Benue office ensures that the inputs are distributed transparently, with priority given to registered farmer groups, commodity associations, cooperative societies and vulnerable farmers.

He said Benue State had more than 400 registered cooperative societies, making it necessary to distribute available inputs through organised groups to ensure wider coverage.

The controller said the office also monitored agricultural activities across the state and regularly reported farmers’ challenges to the ministry’s headquarters to guide intervention programmes.

He commended President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agricultural programme, noting that it was aimed at reducing production costs and improving farmers’ profitability through subsidised farm inputs and equipment.

He, however, expressed concern that Benue received fewer agricultural inputs than some neighbouring states, describing the situation as a major challenge.

“The inputs are not always enough. When we compare allocations with some other states, Benue appears to receive less, yet the demand here is very high.

“We need more fertilisers, improved seeds, herbicides, insecticides and farm equipment such as power tillers so that more farmers can benefit,” he said.

The coordinator disclosed that the Federal Government had already captured the data of eligible farmers for the 2026 wet season agricultural support programme.

He explained that beneficiaries would obtain subsidised inputs after registering with the Bank of Agriculture and making the required counterpart payment through the bank.

According to him, the arrangement is designed to reduce abuse in the distribution process, while security agencies will monitor redemption centres to ensure transparency.

Mr Daspan said that, though the registration had been completed, distribution of the 2026 wet season inputs had yet to commence.

He stressed that timely delivery of inputs was critical because agricultural operations were time-sensitive and any delay could affect farmers’ productivity.

The coordinator added the gesture would boost farmers’ income and sustain food security.

(NAN)