FERTILIZER SUBSIDY PROGRAMME TARGETING WOMEN FARMERS LAUNCHED IN TARABA

JALINGO, Taraba State — A fertilizer subsidy programme aimed at improving access to affordable agricultural inputs and boosting women’s participation in farming has been launched in Jalingo.

The initiative, organised by the Nigerian Women in Agricultural Business (NIWAB) Cooperative Society Limited, took place at the Taraba Agricultural Development Programme (TADP) Farmers Hall, drawing participants from several agriculturally active local government areas, including Karim-Lamido, Gassol, Kurmi, Gashaka, Yorro and Sardauna.

Speaking at the event, NIWAB Vice President for North Central, Hajiya Zainab Mamman, said the programme was designed to address long-standing disparities in access to agricultural interventions, particularly for women in Taraba State.

She noted that while similar initiatives had been implemented in other states within the North-Central zone, Taraba had previously been excluded despite being part of the region.

Mamman explained that the programme prioritises active members of the cooperative, offering not only subsidised inputs but also access to training and capacity-building opportunities within Nigeria and abroad.

She urged beneficiaries to take full advantage of the intervention to improve productivity and strengthen their economic standing.

Delivering the keynote address, agricultural expert, Mr. Haruna Habu, said the intervention responds directly to concerns raised by farmers over the rising cost of fertilizer.

According to him, persistent calls for government action to reduce input costs have made such subsidies necessary to sustain agricultural production, particularly among smallholder farmers.

He also guided participants on how to identify different fertilizer types and their appropriate application, stressing that proper usage is critical to achieving optimal yields.

Taraba State Coordinator of NIWAB, Naomi N. Garpiya, described the programme as a major milestone, noting that it marks the first time the initiative is being implemented in the state.

She said the programme is designed to empower women farmers and enhance their productivity across various agricultural value chains.

Garpiya added that NIWAB provides entrepreneurship training through both virtual and physical platforms, ensuring that women are equipped with the skills needed to manage their agricultural enterprises effectively.

She disclosed that the subsidy reduces the cost of fertilizer from about ₦55,000 per bag in the open market to ₦34,700 for NPK 15:15:15 and ₦34,100 for NPK 20:10:10, offering significant relief to farmers amid rising input costs.

She emphasised that the organisation ensures transparency in distribution and prioritises committed members to maximise impact.

The programme forms part of a broader federal government-backed initiative, supported by the Office of the President and implemented through the Central Bank of Nigeria, targeting women farmers across the North-Central region.

Participants expressed optimism that the intervention would ease production costs and improve yields in the coming farming season, particularly for smallholder women farmers across Taraba State.