Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, has officially launched the sale of fertilizers at a 50% subsidy for the 2025 farming season, in a major push to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food security across the state.
The flag-off ceremony took place at the Borno State Fertilizer Blending Company in Maiduguri, where the governor unveiled plans to distribute 75 trucks of both wet blend and dry blend fertilizers. These inputs are targeted at smallholder farmers, returnees in resettled communities, women, youths, and other vulnerable groups across all 27 local government areas of the state.
Strategic Deployment and Security Measures
Addressing the event, Governor Zulum emphasized that the fertilizer subsidy is part of his administration’s continued efforts to support rural livelihoods and accelerate economic recovery through agriculture. He noted that the use of both wet blend and dry blend fertilizers is a strategic decision based on local security dynamics.
“Wet blend fertilizers will be deployed to high-risk or insecure areas due to their lower potential for misuse. Dry blend fertilizers will be sent to more secure regions where storage and usage can be better managed,” the governor explained.
To prevent diversion and ensure transparency, Zulum announced a series of stringent anti-corruption measures, including:
Tracking of all fertilizer batches by source, number, and destination
Prohibition of proxy purchases
Mandatory verification of recipients
Involvement of community leaders in local oversight
Registration and vetting of agro-dealers
Strict legal consequences for diversion, hoarding, or unauthorized resale
Agricultural Impact and Results
The governor highlighted the success of previous interventions, revealing that in 2024, state-supported farming in Baga and Monguno yielded over ₦3.1 billion worth of cowpea output, despite challenging weather conditions.
“We are seeing strong evidence that our investments in agriculture are paying off, even in areas affected by insecurity. This initiative is about empowering our people and ensuring that no community is left behind,” Zulum said.
A Path to Food Security and Peace
Governor Zulum described agriculture as a cornerstone of the state’s long-term peace and development strategy, noting that rebuilding Borno’s food systems will reduce dependency on external aid, enhance local resilience, and provide sustainable income for thousands of families.
The 50% subsidy initiative marks another milestone in the Zulum administration’s broader agricultural transformation plan, aimed at restoring rural livelihoods and driving inclusive economic growth in post-conflict communities.
