In what is being described as one of the most ambitious agricultural interventions in Zamfara State’s recent history, Governor Dauda Lawal has officially flagged off the 2026 wet-season farming programme, unveiling a sweeping distribution of fertilisers and critical farm inputs aimed at reviving food production and strengthening rural livelihoods.
The high-profile launch, held on Friday at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, drew a large crowd of farmers, traditional leaders, agricultural stakeholders and government officials, all gathered to witness a rollout the governor framed as a decisive step toward food security and economic recovery.
At the heart of the intervention is the distribution of 72,000 bags of fertiliser, part of over 120 truckloads of agricultural inputs earmarked for smallholder farmers across the state. The package also includes 200,000 litres of herbicides, 100 crop residue crushers, 100 grass choppers, 100 feed milling machines, improved pasture seeds, as well as logistical support tools such as 20 motorcycles and 20 mobile phones for extension workers.
To ensure widespread impact, the state government structured the distribution across all 147 political wards in Zamfara’s 14 Local Government Areas, with each ward receiving 340 bags of fertiliser, while each LGA gets 8,000 litres of herbicides.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Lawal underscored agriculture as the backbone of Zamfara’s economy and identity, declaring that the sector holds the key to tackling poverty, unemployment and insecurity.
“Agriculture is not just our heritage—it is our pathway to prosperity,” the governor said, outlining his administration’s plan to transition the sector from subsistence farming to a modern, technology-driven and market-oriented system.
He emphasized that improved access to inputs, mechanisation, irrigation expansion, climate-smart practices and stronger market linkages would form the pillars of this transformation.
Lawal also pointed to improving security conditions across the state, noting that previously abandoned farmlands are gradually being reclaimed as displaced communities return home.
“With peace returning, farming activities are picking up again. Our duty is to support our farmers with everything they need to succeed,” he stated.
The governor highlighted ongoing collaborations with the Federal Government and international partners, citing programmes such as FADAMA III, NG-CARES, SPIN, ZACADEP, SAPZ and IFAD-backed initiatives, which have already delivered inputs, infrastructure and training to thousands of farmers.
He further showcased the newly established Zamfara State Agriculture Hub in Kwatarkwashi, Bungudu LGA, describing it as a cornerstone of the state’s long-term agricultural modernisation strategy and a magnet for private-sector investment.
Warning against diversion or misuse of the distributed items, Lawal assured that strict monitoring mechanisms would be enforced to guarantee transparency and accountability.
“Our commitment is not rhetoric—it is action. We are rebuilding agriculture in Zamfara with clear, measurable results,” he declared.
Farmers at the event welcomed the intervention with visible enthusiasm, describing it as the most comprehensive support package they have received in years and expressing renewed confidence in a productive farming season ahead.
With this bold rollout, the Lawal administration is betting big on agriculture not just as a means of survival, but as a catalyst for economic revival and long-term stability in Zamfara State.If you want, I can make it more sensational, more critical, or add political angles/opposition reactions for a harder front-page punch.
