Army Distributes Fertiliser to Farmers in Jigawa Under Civil-Military Cooperation Programme

By: Zagazola Makama

The Nigerian Army has distributed 40 bags of fertiliser to selected farmers in Jigawa State as part of its Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) activities aimed at supporting local communities and enhancing agricultural productivity.

Security sources reliably informed that the distribution exercise was carried out on Thursday at Dahuwa Primary School in Chamo District of Dutse Local Government Area.

According to the sources, the Commander of the 26 Armoured Brigade, Brig.-Gen. O.I. Odigie, represented the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) during the event.

The fertiliser was distributed to selected farmers drawn from communities within the brigade’s area of responsibility as part of efforts to strengthen relations between the military and host communities while supporting food production.

The sources said the initiative forms part of the Nigerian Army’s broader commitment to community development and socio-economic support programmes across the country.

The event was conducted peacefully and without any security incident.

Army Distributes Fertiliser to Farmers in Jigawa Under Civil-Military Cooperation Programme

Fertiliser Supply Stabilised as FG Strengthens Centralised Procurement System Ahead of 2026 Farming Season

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria has said it has significantly strengthened fertiliser availability and price stability ahead of the 2026 wet season through a tightened central procurement and distribution framework under the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI NPK), designed to shield farmers from global supply shocks and domestic market volatility.

Under the arrangement, PFI NPK Limited—operating under the Ministry of Finance Incorporated—coordinates bulk purchase of fertiliser raw materials, while distribution and blending activities are executed through a regulated national network of plants and warehouses. The system is structured to ensure that inputs remain under central control until verified sales are completed and financial settlements are concluded.

To reinforce transparency and accountability across the supply chain, independent Collateral Management Agents have been deployed to oversee storage facilities nationwide. Their role includes verifying stock levels, monitoring movements, and ensuring that fertiliser inputs are properly secured throughout the distribution process.

The operational framework is guided by standard procedures developed in collaboration with the Fertiliser Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), while quality assurance and regulatory enforcement remain under the supervision of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON).

Security and operational clearance from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) continues to serve as a critical requirement for nationwide logistics coordination and scaling of operations.

Officials said the system has already begun delivering results, with fertiliser raw materials either arriving in-country or currently in transit, while blending plants across the country continue to receive steady supply inputs ahead of peak farming demand.

The government argued that the intervention has reduced exposure to sudden international price spikes and supply chain disruptions that previously affected farmers during critical planting periods.

Dr. Takang, Managing Director of PFI NPK Limited, said the priority is ensuring that farmers are not only able to access fertiliser on time but also at stable and affordable prices that support production rather than undermine it.

“What matters is that the farmer can access fertiliser when needed and at a price that does not undermine production. By stabilising supply and managing cost exposure at the procurement stage, we are supporting that outcome at scale,” he said.

Looking forward, PFI NPK said it is expanding government-to-government sourcing arrangements with international partners to further secure raw material supply lines. It is also developing a digital monitoring platform that will provide real-time tracking of procurement, inventory levels, and nationwide distribution flows.

As the 2026 farming season approaches, authorities said the system is expected to play a key role in improving agricultural productivity by ensuring predictable fertiliser availability, reducing market uncertainty, and strengthening food production capacity across the country.

Fertiliser Supply Stabilised as FG Strengthens Centralised Procurement System Ahead of 2026 Farming Season

UN Women, TY Danjuma Foundation Boost Rural Women’s Livelihoods with Agro-Processing Centre in Abuja Community

By: Michael Mike

Rural women in Great Sheda Community of Kwali Area Council, Abuja, have received a major economic boost following the inauguration of a modern agro-processing centre designed to ease cassava processing and expand income-generating opportunities for women farmers and processors.

The facility, established through a partnership between UN Women and the TY Danjuma Foundation, was officially launched on Monday in the community, with stakeholders describing the intervention as a significant step toward strengthening women’s economic empowerment and rural development.

At the heart of the project is a cassava peeling and grinding machine that is expected to transform the production of Akpu, a staple food that serves as a major source of livelihood for many women in the area. For years, local processors relied largely on manual methods that demanded long hours of labour and limited production capacity. The new facility is expected to reduce processing time, improve efficiency and enable women to devote more time to other productive ventures.

Speaking during the inauguration, the UN Women Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Beatrice Eyong said the initiative goes beyond providing equipment, stressing that it represents an investment in the productivity and economic future of rural women.

According to her, reducing the burden associated with manual cassava processing would help women increase their earnings, pursue additional economic activities and contribute more effectively to the development of their families and communities.

Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the TY Danjuma Foundation, Hannatu Gentles, reaffirmed the foundation’s commitment to supporting underserved communities through strategic interventions in health, education and economic empowerment.

She described women as the backbone of the rural economy and expressed confidence that members of the Akpu Women Association would utilise the facility to expand their businesses and improve the welfare of their households.

Also speaking at the event, former FCT Mandate Secretary and Director-General of the Mariam Babangida Centre, Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, noted that access to modern processing tools would not only improve cassava production but also strengthen food security, stimulate economic growth and enhance community resilience.

Residents of Great Sheda welcomed the intervention, describing it as a transformative project capable of increasing productivity, raising household incomes and stimulating economic activities across the community and neighbouring settlements.

The agro-processing centre is expected to serve women processors within Great Sheda and surrounding communities, creating opportunities for improved food processing practices, higher earnings and stronger local economic growth.

The project underscores growing efforts by development partners and philanthropic organisations to support women as key drivers of economic development, food security and sustainable community growth in rural Nigeria.

UN Women, TY Danjuma Foundation Boost Rural Women’s Livelihoods with Agro-Processing Centre in Abuja Community