By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
Farmers in Niger state have applauded the One Acre Fund for interventions in the distribution of fertilizer and other farm inputs to 65,000 farmers this farming season while lambasting the state government for not providing the inputs to farmers over the years.
The Spokesman of the farmers, Mr Danladi Kpotun stated this at the flagoff of the distribution of fertilizers at Maikunkele area of the state on Wednesday.
According to him, ” most farmers in the state are only able to access fertilizer and other inputs through the intervention of OneAcreFund. We are enjoying the good works OneAcreFund is doing which has resulted in high yields from our farms”.
However the Director of Agricultural services in the state Ministry of agriculture, Adamu Garba Maikasua has dismissed the farmers claim insisting that government has never failed to provide fertilizers and other inputs to farmers in the state.
He said, “I know that last year we flagged off the distribution of fertilizers at farm centre in Minna and many farmers benefitted. Although the products may not have enough to go round, it not true that fertilizers were not available to farmers. Government is already making arrangements to provide fertilizers this farming season “.
Speaking in an interview, the system leader of OneAcreFund, Ade Adebayo explained that over 94000 farmers from the three states of Niger, Kwara and Nasarawa are beneficiaries this year, adding that 65,000 of the total number are from Niger State.
He said, “Total input distributed on credit to farmers in 2025 season is12.5 million metric tonnes, including fertilizers (NPK & Urea) and Maize seedlings”.
He said one million tree seedlings will also be distributed to 461, 700 farmers to strengthen climate resilience
