Food Security Drive Gains Momentum As BOA Finances 15,000 Taraba Farmers

Nigeria’s drive to achieve food security received a boost as the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), in partnership with Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited, flagged off the distribution of farm inputs to over 15,000 smallholder farmers in Taraba State under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Programme.

The initiative, launched in Jalingo to mark the commencement of the 2026 farming season, is designed to provide farmers with essential agricultural inputs, including fertilisers, agrochemicals and improved high-yield seedlings, to enhance productivity, increase yields and improve livelihoods.

The programme is financed by the Bank of Agriculture through Farmers Aggregation Companies (FACs), with Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited serving as the implementing partner in Taraba State.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony through the Bank’s North-East Zonal Head of Finance, Hajiya Hauwa Sule Garba, the managing director and chief executive officer of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin, said the intervention reflects the federal government’s commitment to empowering farmers, strengthening food security and promoting sustainable economic growth.

According to him, investing in smallholder farmers remains critical to Nigeria’s future, urging beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by using the inputs effectively.

“Investing in farmers is investing in Nigeria’s future. Today, we have a government and an institution genuinely committed to the success of rural farmers. This support comes with responsibility. Farm with everything you have. Apply these inputs correctly, and let your harvest demonstrate that when Nigerian farmers receive the right support, they deliver exceptional results,” Sotinrin said.

He disclosed that the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Programme targets two million smallholder farmers nationwide, with plans to distribute more than 10 million bags of fertiliser.

According to him, over 200,000 farmers have already benefited from the programme across the country, while more than 1.1 million bags of fertiliser and 16,470 metric tonnes of improved seeds have been distributed. He added that over 15,000 farmers in Taraba State are being financed through Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited.

The Emir of Jalingo, Alhaji Tukur Abba Tukur, commended the federal government and the Bank of Agriculture for extending the initiative to Taraba State, noting that many rural women are among the beneficiaries, a development he said would further boost food production and improve household incomes.

He urged beneficiaries to utilise the farm inputs for their intended purpose, warning against diversion and stressing that the programme would be closely monitored to ensure it delivers the expected results.

“We in Jalingo and across Taraba State are delighted that the federal government, through the Renewed Hope Initiative, has remembered our people with this remarkable intervention aimed at supporting genuine farmers. We are confident our farmers will reciprocate this gesture with hard work and bumper harvests. We sincerely appreciate Mr. President for this thoughtful initiative,” the Emir said.

Also speaking, Taraba State Lead for Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited and Project Coordinator in Jalingo, Mr. Iliyasu Mustapha, said transparency and accountability among beneficiaries would be key to the long-term success of the programme.

He assured stakeholders that the company would ensure the farm inputs reach genuine farmers across the state while maintaining strict monitoring throughout implementation.

Beyond the distribution of farm inputs, the programme also guarantees participating farmers access to reliable off-takers for their produce, ensuring ready markets for harvested crops and improving farmers’ incomes while contributing to the country’s food security objectives.