Governor Dauda Lawal has launched Zamfara State's 2026 wet season fertiliser distribution programme, overseeing the delivery of 72,000 bags of fertiliser to farmers across the state. The distribution, conducted at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau on Friday, included 200,000 litres of herbicides, 100 crop residue crushers, 100 grass choppers, 100 feed milling machines, improved pasture seeds, 20 motorcycles and 20 mobile phones for agricultural extension workers. More than 120 truckloads of these inputs were deployed to support farming activities in all 147 political wards across the state's 14 local government areas.
Each ward is set to receive 340 bags of fertiliser, while each local government will get 8,000 litres of herbicides. Lawal stated the initiative aims to boost agricultural production, strengthen food security and improve farmers' livelihoods. He described agriculture as the backbone of Zamfara's economy and a key instrument for tackling poverty, unemployment and insecurity. According to the governor, improved security in parts of the state has allowed more communities to resume farming.
Lawal said the administration is committed to transforming agriculture from subsistence to a modern, technology-driven and market-oriented sector by expanding access to inputs, mechanisation, irrigation, extension services and climate-smart practices. Partnerships with the federal government and development agencies through FADAMA III, NG-CARES, SPIN, ZACADEP, SAPZ and IFAD-supported projects are supporting the effort. The government plans to sustain support to ensure continuous agricultural productivity across the state.
The governor claims Zamfara is a major agricultural state while relying on federal and donor programmes to fund basic farm input distribution. If agriculture is truly the backbone of the economy, the state should not need external agencies to supply fertiliser to its own farmers. The distribution of only 340 bags per ward suggests minimal reach, raising questions about how effectively this will transform subsistence farming. Farmers in remote areas may see little change if logistics and security challenges persist beyond Gusau.
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