The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has praised the agricultural policy of Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, stating that his initiative to provide direct support to farmers through the distribution of fertilizers and other inputs aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda for achieving food self-sufficiency.
Flag-Off of 2026 Farming Season
Senator Tinubu made this commendation while officially flagging off the 2026 farming season and distributing mechanization support equipment, including 250 tractors, 50 combine harvesters, and 150,000 bags of fertilizer. The event took place at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Airport in Minna on Saturday, May 2, 2026.
The First Lady noted that the ceremony marks a deliberate transition from subsistence farming to modern, mechanized, and commercially viable agriculture. She emphasized that the initiative empowers farmers with the necessary tools to enhance productivity, improve livelihoods, and strengthen the nation's GDP.
Senator Tinubu highlighted that Niger State has earned its place as one of Nigeria's leading agricultural hubs, demonstrating that agriculture remains a practical path to prosperity, job creation, and sustainable development. She urged beneficiaries to use the tools and fertilizers effectively and embrace modern farming techniques, stressing that reliance on hoes and cutlasses alone cannot meet the food demands of the growing population.
Governor's Remarks on Agricultural Intervention
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago stated that the flag-off of the agricultural intervention program aims to revitalize farming activities and boost food production in the state. He explained that the 250 tractors (75HP) would be distributed across the 25 local government areas, with 10 tractors per council to enhance grassroots mechanization.
The governor added that 50 multi-crop combine harvesters would help reduce harvest time and post-harvest losses, which currently range between 40 and 90 percent depending on the crop. Furthermore, 1,500 farming implements—including planters, boom sprayers, ploughs, and harrows—would be deployed to maximize productivity per hectare. Additionally, 150,000 bags of fertilizer would support about 40,000 smallholder farmers across the state.
“These investments will support farming activities on 120,000 hectares of land across the 25 LGAs, create about 2,000 direct jobs and roughly 100,000 indirect jobs, with an estimated yield of about 500,000 tonnes of assorted food products per season, covering both wet and dry farming. This mechanization means a bumper harvest for our farmers and less hardship or drudgery,” he said.
Commissioner and Ministers' Support
Niger State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Isah Sidi, noted that the tractor distribution marks a significant step toward mechanizing agricultural activities in the state. He said it would increase efficiency, expand cultivated areas, and improve productivity, alongside the provision of essential inputs like fertilizers and agrochemicals.
In separate goodwill messages, the Minister of Agriculture, Abdullahi Sabi, and the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, commended Governor Bago for prioritizing agriculture in line with President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.
