Governor of Hyacinth Iormem Alia of Benue state, has officially launched the 2026 Fertilizer and Other Farm Inputs Sales and Distribution Exercise, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to food security, agricultural productivity, and rural economic development.
The flag-off ceremony, held on Thursday, 4 June 2026, took place at the Benue Fertilizer and Chemicals Company, Industrial Layout, Naka Road, Makurdi, and drew government officials, agricultural stakeholders, traditional rulers, development partners, and farmers from across the state
Speaking, governor Alia described the programme as more than a seasonal intervention, saying it reflects his administration’s determination to strengthen food production, improve farmers’ livelihoods, and sustain Benue’s role as the nation’s food basket. He added that the distribution would cover all 23 local government areas to ensure equitable access for farmers.
The governor announced that fertilizer would be sold to farmers at a subsidised rate of N28,000 per bag, with the state government absorbing an additional N28,000 per bag as subsidy, effectively covering half of the prevailing market cost.
According to him, this year’s initiative has been expanded to include increased quantities of fertilizer, improved seedlings, herbicides, and other key farm inputs aimed at boosting productivity across the state’s agricultural value chain.
Governor Alia also emphasized that the distribution framework had been strengthened to ensure transparency, accountability, and timely delivery to genuine farmers, warning against diversion and exploitation of the scheme.
He further highlighted ongoing investments in rural road infrastructure, irrigation systems, agro-processing initiatives, farmer training programmes, and partnerships designed to attract greater private-sector participation in agriculture.
Farmers were urged to make judicious use of the subsidised inputs, while officials handling the exercise were charged to uphold integrity and professionalism in the implementation process.
Earlier, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Benjamin Ashaver, described the programme as a clear demonstration of the governor’s commitment to farmers’ welfare and food security in the state. He noted that although the launch had been initially scheduled for May, it was shifted due to other state engagements.
Ashaver explained that rising global production costs and disruptions in fertilizer supply chains made timely access to inputs critical for farmers, adding that all procured items were subjected to strict quality control measures. He warned that substandard inputs and diversion would not be tolerated.
In his welcome remarks, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Star Fertilizer and Chemicals Limited, Julius Atorough, commended Governor Alia for fulfilling his commitment to ensuring timely availability of quality fertilizer to farmers.
Atorough disclosed that the company had supplied 495 trucks out of 600 ordered in the previous year’s programme, in addition to 200 trucks delivered during the dry season farming period, with arrangements ongoing to distribute remaining consignments across the state.
He also announced plans to expand production capacity from five trucks per day to about 20 trucks daily through a new automated blending line expected in the coming months, as well as the establishment of a limestone granulating plant in Benue to harness local mineral resources for fertilizer production.