Learning from 2024 Challenges
The governor addressed the causes of earlier delays in distribution, blaming “sharp practices” by some contractors in 2024 that disrupted supply chains and denied many farmers timely access to inputs. He said that the state has instituted stronger oversight measures and more transparent procurement and distribution processes to prevent a repeat of last year’s problems.
“The challenges experienced last year are behind us,” Governor Alia said. “This time, we are ensuring transparency and fairness in the distribution of fertilisers and other farm inputs.”
Settlement of ₦5 Billion Contractor Debt
Recognising the importance of honouring obligations to suppliers, Governor Alia pledged that the state government would clear outstanding debts to genuine contractors. He announced that about ₦5 billion in arrears would be fully settled by the end of October 2025, a move aimed at restoring confidence among stakeholders and preventing future disruptions in the agricultural supply chain.
Farmer Reactions: Relief and Hope
The announcement was greeted with optimism by farmers who attended the ceremony. Many smallholders described the subsidy as a welcome relief that could expand cultivated areas and improve yields. Mrs. Veronica Adakole, a maize farmer from Gwer West LGA, said the subsidy would allow her to expand from two hectares to four hectares this season.
“Last year I could only plant on two hectares because fertiliser was too expensive. With this subsidy, I plan to expand to four hectares. This is a big relief,” she said. Mr. James Aondo, a yam farmer from Katsina-Ala LGA, added: “Our yields depend heavily on fertiliser. If government keeps supporting us like this, there will be food in Benue and beyond.”
Benue: The Nation’s Food Basket
Benue State is widely regarded as the Food Basket of the Nation, producing substantial proportions of Nigeria’s yams, rice, soybeans, sesame, citrus and other staples. Agriculture employs more than 70 percent of the state’s population, most of whom are smallholder farmers cultivating plots usually smaller than five hectares.
Despite its agricultural potential, Benue faces constraints including climate change, rising input costs, rural insecurity, and limited access to credit and mechanisation. Analysts say state-level interventions such as the Alia administration’s fertiliser subsidy are critical if Benue is to maintain and expand its agricultural output.
Why Fertiliser Matters
Agricultural experts emphasise that fertiliser is one of the most important determinants of crop yield. While global average fertiliser application exceeds 100kg per hectare, Nigeria’s average remains below 20kg per hectare, a shortfall that contributes to low productivity and food scarcity. The current intervention aims to narrow that gap by improving farmers’ access to quality inputs at affordable prices.
Economic and Social Implications
The fertiliser intervention carries implications beyond the farm gate. Increased productivity can raise incomes, reduce poverty, stabilise local food prices, and lessen the need for food imports. With inflation compressing household purchasing power, boosting domestic production is an important policy tool for safeguarding food security.
Higher yields translate into increased supply of maize, rice, yam and legumes to local markets which could help moderate price spikes and improve affordability. Additionally, stronger agricultural performance supports rural employment, stimulates agro-processing activity, and drives demand for ancillary services such as transport and storage.
Tackling Food Security Challenges
Nigeria continues to face food security challenges exacerbated by climate variability, conflict in key producing areas, and economic pressures. International estimates indicate that millions remain at risk of food insecurity. Although the Benue intervention is state-level, it contributes to national efforts by raising domestic food supply and supporting farmers’ resilience.
Stakeholder Support and Cooperative Involvement
Leaders of farmer cooperatives, including representatives of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), welcomed the governor’s action. Mr. Daniel Terwase, chairman of a rice cooperative in Logo LGA, described the programme as “timely and strategic.” He noted that fertiliser accounts for a major portion of input costs and that the subsidy would significantly improve farmers’ ability to meet production targets.
Cooperatives are expected to play a role in distribution and monitoring, ensuring that inputs reach genuine producers and that the subsidy benefits smallholder farmers rather than being diverted.
Distribution Mechanisms and Safeguards
To prevent repeat occurrences of the irregularities of 2024, state officials said they will use a combination of measures including direct delivery to registered cooperatives, electronic tracking of consignment movements, biometric or ID-linked verification for beneficiaries, and enhanced monitoring by independent stakeholders.
Officials also indicated that a complaints and redress mechanism will be established to resolve disputes quickly and transparently, and that verified reports of malpractice will be investigated and sanctioned.
Complementary Measures: Beyond Fertiliser
The governor emphasised that the fertiliser subsidy is one element of a broader agricultural agenda. His administration signalled plans to invest in extension services, mechanisation support, irrigation infrastructure, improved seed distribution, and access to credit for farmers. The intent, officials said, is to raise productivity sustainably rather than creating one-off gains.
Improved extension services are particularly important: technician-led advisory services can help farmers apply fertiliser at optimal rates and times, reducing waste and environmental impact while maximising yield gains.
Monitoring Success: Key Indicators
State authorities will monitor the programme’s impact using indicators such as hectares covered, yield per hectare, volumes of fertiliser distributed, number of farmers reached, and market price trends. Independent data collection and reporting will be critical to provide transparency and enable course corrections where needed.
Potential Challenges and Risks
Despite the promise of the programme, risks remain. Logistics and last-mile delivery in rural areas can be difficult, and insecurity in certain localities may hamper distribution. There is also the risk that some fertiliser may be diverted to non-target beneficiaries or hoarded for speculative sale.
Economists warn that without complementary investments in storage, road infrastructure and irrigation gains from a fertiliser subsidy may be limited. The real test will be whether increased access to inputs leads to sustained improvements in productivity and incomes.
Voices from the Field
At the ceremony, several farmers emphasised the importance of timely access. “If fertiliser arrives late, it is almost the same as not arriving at all,” said one farmer from a millet-producing community. Others appealed for continued government involvement in other areas such as pest control, credit access, and market linkages.
Looking Ahead
Governor Alia concluded his address with renewed commitments to agriculture. “Our vision is to make agriculture profitable for our people,” he said. “We are not just subsidising fertiliser; we are laying the groundwork for a stronger, more resilient agricultural economy.”
As the 2025 cropping season unfolds, stakeholders will watch closely to see whether the intervention translates into higher yields, improved rural incomes and stronger food security. If executed transparently and accompanied by supporting investments, the programme could serve as a model for other states seeking to bolster food production in the face of economic and climatic challenges.
The effectiveness of the programme will depend on robust distribution, transparent oversight, and complementary investments in services and infrastructure. For Benue long viewed as Nigeria’s food basket, success could mean higher production, lower food prices and improved livelihoods for thousands of farming households.
Good night, NEW BENUE