Many rural farmers in Gombe State have expressed concern over the late arrival and limited accessibility of the state government’s subsidised fertiliser for the 2026 farming season, saying the delay has affected crop production and forced many of them to buy the commodity at higher market prices.
Governor Muhammadu Yahaya flagged off the distribution of subsidised fertiliser on June 23, 2026, directing that the commodity be transported immediately to all 11 local government areas and sold at a subsidised price of ₦32,000 per bag of NPK, compared to market prices ranging between ₦40,000 and ₦50,000, depending on the brand.
The governor also directed that distribution should be carried out through local government and ward committees, with fertiliser reaching farmers at polling unit level.
However, investigations by our correspondent in Akko, Billiri and Funakaye Local Government Areas showed that while fertiliser eventually reached distribution centres, many smallholder farmers complained that it arrived several weeks after the official flag-off, by which time many had already purchased more expensive fertiliser from the open market.
Mrs Ladi J.T. Markus, a widow farming along the Akko-Billiri boundary, said she did not bother applying for the government fertiliser this year after her experience during the previous farming season.
“After trying to get the government’s fertiliser last year, I was told that my name was not on the list of beneficiaries. I only needed two or three bags for my farm, but I couldn’t get any. That discouraged me from looking for it this year,” she said.
She added that access to subsidised fertiliser would have significantly reduced her production costs.
Another widow, Mrs Ladies Mela of Billiri, whose farm is located at Gada Uku (Lodongor), said she had already bought fertiliser from the open market before the government product became available.
“I was advised to register for the government fertiliser, but by then it was already too late because I had bought fertiliser from the market to avoid delaying work on my farm,” she said.
Some farmers also lamented the poor returns from maize farming, saying the sharp decline in maize prices had discouraged investment despite rising production costs.
One farmer said, “Last year we bought fertiliser for between ₦50,000 and ₦60,000 per bag, but after harvest, a bag of maize sold for about ₦30,000 or even less. That is discouraging farmers from investing in maize production.”
Findings further indicated that fertiliser allocations reached several local governments nearly three weeks after the state launch.
At the Billiri Local Government fertiliser store, the Head of Department of Agriculture, Mr Paul Peter, said the council received 13,320 bags on July 14.
According to him, distribution commenced almost immediately.
“We received 13,320 bags on July 14 and began distribution within two days. So far, we have distributed about 90 per cent of the allocation,” he said.
Peter dismissed claims that fertiliser did not reach the wards.
“The fertiliser was distributed from the local government to the wards and then to the polling units. We have monitoring committees at both local government and ward levels to supervise the process,” he explained.
He attributed complaints from some residents to the payment procedure.
“Some people expected to come to the store, pay cash and collect fertiliser immediately. The directive is that beneficiaries must first receive allocation and then pay through the designated Unity Bank account before collection. We do not accept cash payments at the stores,” he said.
Similarly, the Head of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Akko Local Government, Bala Musa, said the council received 15,620 bags of fertiliser on July 13.
“Immediately the fertiliser arrived, we commenced sales and distribution. So far, we have distributed about 14,700 bags,” he said.
He noted, however, that demand exceeded supply.
“We need more fertiliser because Akko has a very large farming population. The quantity allocated is not enough for the number of farmers we have.”
Musa also identified transportation as one of the operational challenges.
“We have three stores serving different locations. Moving fertiliser to various distribution points is challenging, but we have been able to manage the logistics,” he said.
In Funakaye Local Government Area, however, the situation appeared different.
At the government fertiliser distribution centre in Bajoga, farmers confirmed that fertiliser was readily available at the approved government price, having arrived two days after the state’s official flag-off.
Despite the availability, many farmers said inadequate finances prevented them from purchasing the quantity they required.
One of the farmers, Musa Aliyu, said access was no longer the main concern.
“The fertiliser is available at the government distribution centre and farmers are buying it at the approved price. The major challenge now is that many people do not have enough money to buy the quantity they need. Some farmers had already applied organic fertiliser before the government fertiliser became available,” he said.
Other farmers in the area commended the government for making the commodity available but appealed for improved access to agricultural credit and increased fertiliser allocations to enable more farmers to boost food production during the current farming season.
Meanwhile, Gombe State Government on Momday inaugurated fertiliser distribution committee for wet season after a month of flagging off sales.
The Secretary to Government of Gombe, Professor Ibrahim Njodi, who conveyed the governor’s approval, explained that the committee is expected to oversee the effective distribution of fertiliser across the state and ensure that the commodity reaches genuine farmers in all parts of Gombe State to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security.
“In his determination to ensure transparent and equitable distribution of agricultural inputs for the 2026 farming season, Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, has approved the establishment of a State Committee on the Distribution of Fertiliser,” Njodi stated.
The Hon. Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security is appointed Chairman, while the Permanent Secretary Ministry for Local Government, Special Adviser on Agriculture, the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and the Director, Agriculture will serve as members.
Representatives of Civil Society Organisations in the Committee are Ibrahim Yusuf 3000, Prof. Tahir Inuwa and Rev. Chris Godobe.
Other members are representatives of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Gombe State, the Nigeria Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and a representative of Persons with Disabilities.
According to the SSG, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, will serve as Secretary of the committee.
He added, “All the appointments are with effect from 27th July, 2026.”