The Executive Governor of Zamfara State, Dr Dauda Lawal P.hD has launched a landmark agricultural intervention programme in Zamfara State with the distribution of over 120 truckloads of fertilisers and essential farm inputs to smallholder farmers across the state as part of preparations for the 2026 wet-season farming cycle.
The official flag-off ceremony was held yesterday Friday 11th of July at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, the state capital, drawing a large turnout of farmers, traditional rulers, agricultural extension workers and government officials who gathered to witness what the governor described as a turning point in the state’s quest for food security and self-sufficiency.
The comprehensive package distributed to farmers includes 72,000 bags of high-quality fertiliser, 200,000 litres of herbicides to combat weeds and pests, 100 crop residue crushers to help farmers prepare their land more efficiently, 100 grass choppers for livestock feed production, 100 feed milling machines to support animal nutrition, improved pasture seeds aimed at boosting livestock farming, 20 motorcycles to enhance the mobility of agricultural extension agents and 20 mobile phones designated for those same agents to facilitate real-time communication and data collection in the field. The distribution is structured to ensure equitable access across the state, covering all 147 political wards spread across Zamfara’s 14 Local Government Areas. Each ward is receiving 340 bags of fertiliser, while each Local Government Area is allocated 8,000 litres of herbicides, ensuring that no community is left behind in the intervention.
In his address to the gathering, Governor Lawal delivered a passionate speech about the central role of agriculture in Zamfara’s history, culture and economy. He reminded the audience that Zamfara State has long been recognised as one of Nigeria’s agricultural strongholds, blessed with vast, fertile land and a population of hardworking farmers whose livelihoods have for generations depended on the soil. He stressed that farming is not merely an economic activity but a fundamental part of the people’s identity, heritage and resilience and that it holds the key to inclusive growth, sustainable development and the fight against poverty, banditry and crime that have plagued the state in recent years. The governor articulated a clear vision of shifting Zamfara’s agricultural sector from subsistence-based practices to a productive, technology-driven and market-oriented system that can compete on a national scale. He outlined plans to unlock farmers’ potential through improved access to inputs, widespread mechanisation, expansion of irrigation schemes, robust extension services, adoption of climate-smart farming methods and the creation of strong market linkages that would guarantee fair prices for produce.
Governor Lawal also took the opportunity to highlight the improving security situation across the state, noting that as peace gradually returns to more communities, farmlands are being reopened, displaced families are returning to their homes and agricultural activities are resuming at an encouraging pace. He emphasised that his administration’s responsibility is to sustain and accelerate this progress by providing the necessary support, infrastructure and enabling environment for farmers to thrive. He pointed to the state government’s strengthened collaboration with the Federal Government, development partners and international organisations, citing the timely payment of counterpart funds as evidence of the administration’s commitment to ensuring that Zamfara fully benefits from critical agricultural interventions. He further reeled off a list of ongoing programmes that have already made a tangible difference, including FADAMA III, NG-CARES, SPIN, ZACADEP, SAPZ and various IFAD-supported initiatives, through which thousands of farmers have received improved seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, irrigation facilities, farming equipment and modern agricultural knowledge.
The governor further underscored the state’s push for mechanisation and private-sector investment by referencing the newly established Zamfara State Agriculture Hub in Kwatarkwashi, Bungudu Local Government Area, which he described as a concrete demonstration of the administration’s long-term vision. He called on farmers to make the best use of the inputs provided, assuring them that the government would continue to monitor the distribution process to prevent diversion or mismanagement. He concluded by reaffirming that his administration’s commitment to agricultural revival is backed not by empty promises but by deliberate, measurable action and that the ultimate goal is to reposition Zamfara State as a major contributor to Nigeria’s agricultural economy and a model for other states grappling with similar challenges. The event ended with farmers expressing gratitude and optimism, with many describing the intervention as the most comprehensive they had received in years, giving them renewed hope for a bountiful harvest in the coming season.