Renewed Hope: How Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Fertilizer Initiative Crashed Food Prices in Benue State

Background: Benue’s Agricultural Revolution

Benue has long been Nigeria’s agricultural hub, producing yams, rice, beans, oranges, and other staples that feed millions across the country. Yet, like many parts of Nigeria, farmers in Benue have struggled with rising input costs, poor access to markets, and climate variability.

Governor Alia, who assumed office in 2023, prioritized food security as a cornerstone of his administration. In 2024, his government launched a large-scale subsidy program for fertilizers, improved seedlings, and mechanized farm support. Approximately 20,000 farmers benefited directly from this initiative.

Unlike past programs, which were often criticized for corruption or limited reach, the distribution process in Benue was more transparent, involving farmer cooperatives, local government authorities, and traditional leaders.

The results, now manifest in markets across Nigeria, are nothing short of dramatic.

Food Prices Then and Now: A Drastic Fall

The most striking evidence of the program’s success is reflected in the market prices of food items. Below is a comparison of last year’s (2024) food prices and this year’s (2025) following the bumper harvest:

1. Onions: ₦300,000 → ₦35,000 — Once a luxury item for households, onions are now abundant and affordable again.
2. Peanut (Groundnut): ₦85,000 → ₦27,000 — Prices fell as production surged, benefiting both oil producers and snack vendors.
3. Oranges: ₦60,000 → ₦7,000 — A dramatic fall, improving nutrition access for families and boosting vitamin C intake.
4. Beans: ₦230,000 → ₦105,000 — Beans, a protein staple for low-income households, became more affordable.
5. Potatoes: ₦50,000 → ₦30,000 — Sweet potatoes and Irish varieties flooded the markets.
6. Palm Oil: ₦65,000 → ₦45,000 — Vital for cooking, palm oil’s decline stabilized kitchen budgets.
7. Yams (100 tubers): ₦500,000 → ₦90,000 — Yam festivals regained cultural vibrancy as prices crashed.
8. Rice (per bag): ₦120,000 → ₦42,000 — Locally produced rice now competes with imported brands.
9. Dried Cassava (Kpor): ₦65,000 → ₦30,000 — Gari prices dropped, offering relief to households.
10. Maize (Corn): ₦80,000 → ₦35,000 — Animal feed industries also benefited from cheaper maize.
11. Tomatoes: ₦4,500 → ₦1,500 per custard rubber — Once scarce and overpriced, tomatoes are now in surplus, ensuring more affordable stew pots.

Such a sharp decline in prices within a single year is rare in Nigeria’s agricultural history. It highlights how targeted interventions in the agricultural value chain can bring immediate relief to consumers.

Farmers’ Perspective

For farmers, the story goes beyond just bumper harvests. Access to affordable fertilizer meant higher yields per hectare. Many smallholder farmers who previously harvested just enough for subsistence now have surpluses to sell in markets.

For example, yam farmers reported yields that doubled compared to 2023. Rice farmers, empowered with subsidized inputs, produced bags at a fraction of the previous cost. The result was not only food security but also rising farmer incomes.

Farmer cooperatives in Gwer, Vandeikya, and Otukpo confirmed that the government’s intervention directly improved livelihoods. Some farmers invested their profits into mechanized tools, while others expanded their farmland for the coming season.

These changes triggered ancillary benefits: increased demand for labour at planting and harvest times, more business for local agro-input dealers, and a revitalized rural economy in many communities.

Market Perspective: Relief for Consumers

In Makurdi, Otukpo, and Gboko markets, traders noted the unprecedented surge in food supply. The tripling of food availability has led to fierce competition among sellers, further driving down prices.

Consumers, especially low-income families, expressed relief. For the first time in years, many households reported being able to afford balanced diets, incorporating proteins and fruits that had become unaffordable luxuries.

Market women and petty traders said foot traffic increased as shoppers took advantage of lower prices to stock up for families and social events. Catering businesses and small restaurants reported lower input costs, which in turn allowed them to offer more affordable meals.

Economic Implications: Inflation Control and Poverty Reduction

Nigeria has battled persistent food inflation, a key driver of overall inflation. The Benue experience provides evidence that agricultural productivity is central to economic stability.

The sharp drop in food prices in Benue is expected to influence inflation rates nationally, given the state’s importance in food production. Moreover, with millions of households spending less on food, disposable income for other necessities is likely to rise.

This aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which emphasizes food security as a pillar for national stability and growth. If replicated thoughtfully across other states, such interventions could reduce the share of household budgets spent on food and relieve pressure on social safety nets.

Challenges and Sustainability

Despite these gains, several challenges remain:

• Climate Change: Erratic rainfall and flooding remain threats that can reverse gains quickly.
• Storage and Logistics: Without adequate storage, surpluses risk going to waste and farmers losing revenue.
• Market Access: Poor road infrastructure and high transportation costs can limit the reach of farm produce.
• Private Sector Involvement: Sustaining the gains will require ongoing investment beyond government subsidies, including private off-takers, processors, and exporters.

Experts argue that while price crashes benefit consumers, they could hurt farmers if not paired with better storage and value chain development. For sustainability, policymakers must balance policies that increase supply with mechanisms that stabilise farmer income—such as aggregation centres, commodity exchange participation, and contract farming.

Voices from the Field

Interviews with farmers and market participants painted a vivid picture of change. A yam farmer in Vandeikya said his yields doubled and that he was able to sell the surplus for the first time in years. A rice cooperative leader in Otukpo noted that members reinvested proceeds in better seeds and a shared processing mill.

Market women in Makurdi described shoppers who previously limited purchases to staples now buying fruits and protein items for household meals. Small-scale restaurateurs said lower input costs let them expand menus and offer more nutritious options.

These on-the-ground perspectives underscore the multiplier effect of targeted agricultural support one intervention spawns productivity, income generation, reinvestment, and greater local economic activity.

Policy Design: What Worked in Benue

Experts examining the Benue program point to several design features that made it effective:

• Targeting: Prioritising smallholder farmers and using cooperatives to reach beneficiaries reduced leakages.
• Transparency: Involving traditional leaders and local government helped track distribution and build trust.
• Complementary Support: Combining fertiliser distribution with extension services and access to improved seeds raised yields further.
• Timing: Ensuring inputs reached farmers ahead of planting seasons maximised uptake and impact.

These features reflect international best practices and can serve as a blueprint for other states seeking rapid improvements in food production.

National and Global Context

The success in Benue mirrors global best practices where fertilizer subsidies, combined with extension services, have transformed agricultural economies. From Malawi to India, targeted farm input programs have lifted millions from hunger when well-implemented.

At the global level, this aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 2: Zero Hunger. Nigeria’s ability to replicate Benue’s model nationwide could make it a leader in Africa’s food security transformation.

International partners, agritech investors, and donor agencies often look to scalable models. Benue’s approach particularly its emphasis on transparency and cooperative-led distribution could attract technical support and financing that improves storage, processing, and market linkages.

Lessons for Replication

Replicating Benue’s success will require adaptation, not simple copying. Key lessons include:

• Context matters: Soil types, cropping calendars, and market structures vary by state.
• Sustainability focus: Subsidies must be phased into market-supported systems with private sector participation.
• Value-addition: Processing and storage facilities increase resilience and prevent price collapses that hurt farmers.
• Climate-smart practices: Irrigation, drought-resistant seeds, and soil management reduce climate vulnerability.

Successful replication should pair short-term interventions with long-term investments in infrastructure, research, and market institutions.

Looking Ahead: December Harvest and Beyond

Agricultural experts predict that food prices may drop even further by December 2025, when the bulk of the harvest arrives in markets. With bumper harvests of maize, cassava, rice, and yam expected, consumers may enjoy the most affordable festive season in decades.

Governor Alia has promised to expand the program in 2026, targeting even more farmers and incorporating modern irrigation to mitigate climate risks.

For President Tinubu, the Benue story offers a compelling case study of how Renewed Hope is not just a slogan but a lived reality for millions.

Balancing Consumer Gains and Farmer Welfare

While consumers celebrate lower prices, policymakers must ensure that farmers do not become collateral damage. Strategies to protect farmer welfare include:

• Developing storage and processing to reduce post-harvest losses and allow farmers to time sales.
• Creating aggregation centres to lower transaction costs and give farmers bargaining power.
• Encouraging contract farming and off-take agreements to guarantee market access at fair prices.
• Promoting farmer-led cooperatives that can invest in shared assets like mills and cold storage.

These measures help transform short-term price declines into sustainable prosperity for agricultural communities.

Potential Risks and Mitigations

Several risks could undermine the gains if not addressed:

• Post-harvest loss: Without immediate investments in storage, surpluses could rot and result in revenue losses.
• Market gluts: Extreme price drops could discourage planting next season unless off-take mechanisms are in place.
• Climate shocks: Floods or droughts could wipe out crops and reverse the gains.

Mitigation strategies include scaling up public–private partnerships for processing, investment in rural infrastructure, insurance schemes for farmers, and climate-resilient agricultural practices.

Voices of Support and Critique

Development economists and agronomists praised the Benue intervention for its rapid, measurable impact. They noted that timely inputs, clear targeting, and cooperative involvement were keys to success.

Cri tics, however, warn that subsidies can create dependency if not carefully phased and that state-level programs must coordinate with federal policies to avoid market distortions. Transparency advocates urge continued monitoring and public reporting to ensure funds reach intended beneficiaries.

Overall, the debate underscores the need for a balanced policy that combines short-term relief with structural reforms to build resilient agricultural systems.

Conclusion

The Benue fertilizer initiative is more than a state policy; it is a blueprint for Nigeria’s agricultural future. By empowering farmers, boosting productivity, and slashing food prices, it delivers on multiple fronts economic growth, social welfare, and political credibility.

As one market woman in Wadata market put it: “We used to fear going to the market because food was too expensive. Now, we can cook without stress. God bless the governor, and God bless Nigeria.”

The challenge now lies in sustaining this momentum, scaling it across states, and ensuring that Nigeria not only feeds itself but also becomes a net exporter of food.

If replicated nationwide, the transformation seen in Benue could well mark the beginning of a true agricultural revolution in Nigeria—one that combines targeted state interventions, private sector engagement, and climate-smart farming to deliver food security for millions.