Farmers in the Federal Capital Territory bemoan holdup in distribution of 6,800 fertiliser bags

Farmers in the Federal Capital Territory, operating under the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, have voiced their concern over the delayed release of 6,800 bags of free fertiliser intended for the 2026 wet season farming, which were distributed through the National Agricultural Development Fund's Renewed Hope Farm Input Support Programme.

n

The fertilisers were meant to support the 2026 wet season farming, but the farmers have yet to receive them, prompting the Chairman of AFAN FCT Chapter, Dr Perpetual Okafor, to express the growing agitation among farmers as the season progresses without access to the necessary inputs.

n

According to Dr Okafor, the farmers had submitted their names as beneficiaries, but despite multiple visits and calls to the FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, the fertilisers remain unreleased, with the flag-off for distribution having taken place on June 15, 2026.

n

A follow-up visit to the Department of Agri-services on June 17, 2026, yielded no results, as Dr Okafor was informed that the Mandate Secretary was unavailable to sign the release, prompting her to make repeated, unsuccessful calls and send messages to the Mandate Secretary.

n

Dr Okafor has expressed her deep concern that the fertilisers have not been released, warning that the wet season farming will soon come to an end, rendering the fertilisers useless to the farmers if not released promptly.

n

Some farmers have already resorted to purchasing fertilisers from the open market to continue their farming activities, according to Dr Okafor, who has given the Secretariat an ultimatum to release the fertilisers this week, cautioning that failure to do so may lead to further action from the farmers.

n

The FCT AFAN boss has appealed to the relevant authorities to expedite the release of the 6,800 bags of fertiliser, which will enable the 1,700 beneficiary farmers to benefit from the programme as intended.

n

As of the time of filing this report, efforts to obtain a response from the FCT Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat were unsuccessful.