Gov Alia cuts fertilizer price to N28,000 for Benue farmers

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has approved a 51 percent subsidy on fertiliser, reducing the price of a bag to N28,000 for farmers throughout the state. The move is intended to boost agricultural output and strengthen food security.

The subsidy was announced on Thursday during the launch of the 2026 Fertiliser and Agricultural Inputs Sales and Distribution Programme at the Benue Fertiliser Blending Plant in Makurdi.

Alia said the intervention is meant to soften the impact of rising farming costs and encourage greater participation in agriculture across the state. He added that the distribution initiative fits within the administration’s broader agricultural development plan, which aims to expand farmland through land aggregation, improve access to quality farm inputs, and increase overall productivity.

"This initiative is not just a seasonal intervention but a deliberate policy direction designed to enhance food security, expand cultivated farmlands through land aggregation, and stimulate rural economic prosperity," the governor said.

According to Alia, maintaining Benue’s reputation as Nigeria’s food basket requires strategic investments in modern farming techniques and continuous support for local farmers.

The governor noted that the 2026 distribution exercise will reach farmers in all 23 local government areas. He also said stricter monitoring mechanisms have been introduced to ensure fairness and prevent diversion of inputs.

Alia disclosed that the state government has increased the volume of fertiliser and other agricultural inputs available this year to meet the growing demand resulting from expanded farming activities and land aggregation efforts.

The administration’s agricultural agenda includes the construction and rehabilitation of rural access roads, the expansion of irrigation facilities to support all‑season farming, the promotion of agro‑processing and value‑chain development, and training programmes for farmers, youths, and women engaged in agribusiness.

The governor urged farmers to take advantage of the subsidised inputs to boost food production and warned officials involved in the distribution process to adhere strictly to transparency and accountability standards. He added that anyone involved in diversion or other forms of malpractice would face appropriate sanctions.

Speaking earlier, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security Hon. Benjamin Ashaver said the era of substandard fertiliser distribution in Benue had ended. Ashaver noted that comprehensive monitoring measures had been put in place to ensure farmers receive only high‑quality fertiliser, warning that individuals who circumvent approved procedures or engage in unethical practices would be sanctioned.

The fertiliser distribution programme is expected to benefit thousands of farmers across Benue State as preparations gather momentum for the 2026 farming season.