FG, Bank of Agriculture Launch 2026 Farming Input Distribution for 15,000 Taraba Farmers

Smallholder farmers in Taraba State have been urged to take advantage of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Programme as the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) officially commenced the 2026 farming season input distribution in Jalingo.

The programme, implemented in partnership with Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited, is designed to improve agricultural productivity by providing farmers with essential inputs, including fertilizers, agrochemicals and improved high-yield seedlings, while strengthening Nigeria’s food security and rural economy.

Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, Mr. Ayo Sotinrin, represented by the Bank’s North-East Zonal Head of Finance, Hajiya Hauwa Sule Garba, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers across the country.

He described investment in agriculture as an investment in Nigeria’s future, urging beneficiaries to maximise the opportunity by applying the inputs properly to achieve higher yields.

“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.

The Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Programme targets two million farmers nationwide, with plans to distribute more than 10 million bags of fertilizer. So far, the Bank of Agriculture has financed over 200,000 farmers, deployed more than 1.1 million bags of fertilizer and distributed 16,470 metric tonnes of improved seeds across Nigeria.

In Taraba State alone, more than 15,000 smallholder farmers are expected to benefit through Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited, making it one of the programme’s key implementation states.

The Emir of Jalingo, Alhaji Tukur Abba Tukur, praised the Federal Government and the Bank of Agriculture for extending the initiative to Taraba, noting that many rural women are among the beneficiaries. He urged farmers to use the inputs for their intended purpose and warned against diversion, stressing that the programme would be closely monitored.

“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,” the Emir said.

Also speaking, Taraba State Lead for Japtini Food & Retail Company Limited and Project Coordinator in Jalingo, Mr. Iliyasu Mustapha, pledged that the organisation would ensure the farm inputs reach genuine beneficiaries. He added that accountability and transparency would be central to the programme’s success.

Beyond supplying agricultural inputs, the initiative also connects participating farmers with reliable produce buyers, guaranteeing access to markets and helping improve incomes after harvest.