Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has reduced the price of fertiliser for farmers to N28,000 per bag under a new subsidy programme launched on Thursday. The move is part of the state's 2026 fertiliser and farm inputs distribution exercise aimed at supporting agricultural production ahead of the farming season. Alia stated that the government would cover the remaining N28,000 per bag, effectively paying half the cost to relieve financial pressure on farmers.
During the launch event, the governor stressed the importance of accountability and transparency in the distribution process. He warned against diversion, favouritism, or exploitation of the programme, insisting that all inputs must reach the intended beneficiaries. "I charge you to discharge your responsibilities with integrity, professionalism, and fairness. Let there be no room for diversion, favouritism, or exploitation," Alia said.
Alia reaffirmed his administration's focus on building a modern and commercially viable agricultural sector. He cited ongoing investments in rural roads, irrigation systems, and water management infrastructure to enable year-round farming. The government also plans to expand agro-processing and value-addition initiatives to reduce post-harvest losses and increase farmers' earnings.
Farmers were urged to use the distributed inputs wisely and comply with established guidelines. Alia assured them of the government's continued support, acknowledging their contributions to the state's economy. "To our hardworking farmers, let me assure you that your government stands firmly with you," he said. The programme rollout coincides with preparations for the new farming season across Benue State.
Governor Alia is paying N28,000 per fertiliser bag while charging farmers the same amount, creating a mirrored cost structure that raises questions about procurement pricing. If the full bag costs N56,000, the government must disclose the supplier and contract terms to confirm there is no overpricing. Farmers in Makurdi and Gboko who depend on timely input access may benefit only if distribution is free of bureaucratic delays. The success of the programme hinges on whether local officials enforce the governor's anti-diversion orders or ignore them as past schemes suggest.
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