Benue Farmers to Buy Fertilizer at N28,000 as Alia Expands Agricultural Productivity Programme

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to large-scale agricultural transformation through strategic land aggregation and improved access to farm inputs.

Governor Alia made the commitment during the official flag-off of the 2026 Fertilizer and Other Farm Inputs Sales and Distribution Exercise held on Thursday at the Benue Fertilizer Blending Plant, Industrial Layout, Makurdi.
He disclosed that his administration has subsidized fertilizer by 51 per cent, stating that farmers will purchase the product at a subsidized rate of N28,000 per bag, while the government absorbs the remaining cost to ease production expenses and support smallholder farmers across the state.
The Governor explained that the initiative goes beyond a seasonal intervention, describing it as a deliberate policy aimed at strengthening food security, expanding cultivated farmlands through land aggregation, and promoting economic prosperity in rural communities throughout the state.
According to him, Benue’s status as the “Food Basket of the Nation” must be preserved through modern agricultural practices. He noted that government interventions are being expanded to ensure farmers have access to quality farm inputs, improved seedlings, herbicides, and other support systems required to enhance productivity and commercialize agriculture on a larger scale.
Governor Alia further announced that the 2026 farm input distribution exercise will cover all 23 local government areas of the state. He added that stronger transparency measures have been introduced to guarantee equitable access and prevent diversion of the products.
He also revealed that the administration has increased the volume of fertilizer and related farm inputs to meet the needs of the growing farming population and the increasing hectares of land being cultivated under land aggregation initiatives.
The Governor stated that the administration’s broader agricultural agenda includes the construction and rehabilitation of rural roads for the evacuation of farm produce, expansion of irrigation systems for year-round farming, promotion of agro-processing and value addition to reduce post-harvest losses, as well as capacity-building programmes for farmers, youths, and women involved in agribusiness.
He urged farmers across the state to take advantage of the programme and charged officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to maintain transparency, fairness, and accountability in the distribution process. He warned against any form of diversion or malpractice.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Hon. Benjamin Ashaver, declared that the era of substandard fertilizer distribution in Benue State had ended. He warned that strict enforcement measures had been put in place to address any attempts to circumvent established procedures or engage in malpractice.
Ashaver also encouraged youths and women to explore opportunities in agriculture, describing innovation, technology, mechanization, and agribusiness as the future of the sector.
He further advised agro-dealers and suppliers to desist from hoarding, adulteration, and price manipulation, warning that anyone found exploiting farmers would face the full weight of the law.
In his remarks, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Star Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited, Mr. Julius Atorough, commended Governor Alia for fulfilling his promise to make quality fertilizer available to farmers in a timely manner. He stated that the partnership between the state government and the company has helped eliminate adulterated fertilizers from the Benue market and assured farmers of uninterrupted supply despite global market disruptions.
Atorough disclosed that the company is expanding its production capacity from five trucks per day to 20 trucks daily through the installation of a new automated blending line. He also revealed plans to establish a limestone granulating plant in Benue, a development expected to increase fertilizer production, create employment opportunities, and strengthen the state’s agricultural economy.