By Muhammed Danjuma Ogwu, Lafia
For thousands of smallholder farmers in Nasarawa State, the fear of poor harvests and rising food prices is giving way to hope, thanks to a bold intervention by One Acre Fund Nigeria, a non-governmental organisation working to boost food security and rural livelihoods.
On Wednesday, the organisation launched a large-scale distribution of fertilizers, improved maize seeds, herbicides, and pesticides to over 16,000 farmers across 13 local government areas of the state—an effort aimed at tackling hunger and ensuring better yields during the 2025 farming season.
At the launch held in Nasarawa Eggon, Emmanuel Bamgboye, Field Operations Lead for the organisation, said the initiative is not just about farming—it’s about dignity and survival.
“This programme is helping families grow their own food, build resilience, and recover from hardship,” Bamgboye said. “We’re offering these inputs as loans at deeply subsidised rates, with flexible repayment over eight months. It’s practical help, at the right time.”
He revealed that only 12% of the cost is required upfront, with the remaining balance spread across the season, giving farmers the breathing space to focus on their crops.
Beyond Nasarawa, the NGO’s reach is wide. “This year alone, we’re supporting 94,000 farmers in Nasarawa, Kwara, and Niger states. We’re also distributing 12.5 million tree seedlings to over 461,000 farmers, promoting climate-smart farming and a more sustainable future,” Bamgboye added.
Representing the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Agriculture, Umar Tanko-Tunga, the Programme Manager of the state Agricultural Development Programme, Umar Nuhu, praised the intervention and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to collaborate with partners focused on fighting food scarcity and climate change.
Local Government Chairman of Nasarawa Eggon, Iliya Aliyu, through his deputy Yusuf Mada, expressed gratitude to the NGO and urged farmers to treat the inputs as a golden opportunity, not to be wasted or sold.
For Danjuma Usman-Dogo, a local leader and Sarkin Noma (Head of Farmers), the distribution couldn’t have come at a better time.
“The rains are here. Before now, we didn’t know how we would cope. But these seeds and fertilizers mean we can plant with confidence,” he said. “We thank One Acre Fund. This programme will feed many families.”
As the 2025 farming season kicks off, thousands of Nasarawa farmers now face the future with renewed confidence—armed with tools, support, and the promise of a better harvest.