National Agricultural Development Fund engages processors to fine-tune farm input supply programme

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has engaged agro-processors and other stakeholders to review the pilot phase of its Farm Input Supply Programme (FISP) and strengthen delivery ahead of the next farming season.

The roundtable was held concurrently in Lagos and Kano States, drawing processors from the southern and northern regions of the country.

The Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, was represented by Mr Abiodun Sosanya, General Manager, Corporate Services, in Lagos, and Mr Nasir Ingawa, General Manager, Partnerships and Investor Relations, in Kano.

Speaking on behalf of the Executive Secretary, Sosanya and Ingawa conveyed Ibrahim’s position that the programme was designed to address a major constraint in Nigerian agriculture.

“The NADF–Farm Input Supply Programme is a strategic intervention to improve access to essential inputs, enhance productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods through out-grower systems,” Ibrahim said.

He acknowledged that the pilot phase faced implementation challenges, including delays linked to logistics and climate variability.

“These challenges are real and reflect the complexity of agricultural interventions, but they also provide valuable lessons,” he said, adding that the review would help improve coordination, timelines and quality assurance in the next phase.

Agro-processors welcomed the programme’s objectives and subsidy structure, describing them as relevant and supportive of farmers.

However, they raised concerns about logistics delays, changing import policies and falling commodity prices, warning that these factors could affect farmers’ profitability and loan repayment. They called for stronger stakeholder engagement and better policy alignment to ensure sustainability.

NADF assured participants that feedback from the engagement would shape a more efficient, transparent and climate-responsive second phase of the programme, in line with efforts to boost agricultural productivity and national food security