Kaduna makes history with groundbreaking free fertilizer distribution for women farmers

Governor Uba Sani made a big announcement on Friday, November 22, saying that Kaduna State has made history by carrying out the largest free fertilizer distribution in Nigeria. He also shared that women farmers played a key role in the success of this initiative.

At the ongoing Women Economic Empowerment Summit, Governor Sani proudly revealed, “I approved the distribution of 500 trucks of fertilizer, out of which 240,000 bags have been distributed for free to 120,000 smallholder farmers.” He emphasized that helping farmers, especially women, is a top priority for his administration.

He continued, “Because of the important role women play in farming, we have specifically targeted them in our programs.” One of the major programs he highlighted was the Get Back to Farm initiative (A Koma Gona), which is helping breathe new life into the state’s farming sector. “Under this remarkable program, we distributed vital supplies—high-quality seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and farming equipment—to 41,693 smallholder farmers and cooperatives across all 23 Local Government Areas,” said the Governor.

This initiative, he believes, is a game-changer for local farmers, restoring their livelihoods and boosting productivity.

Governor Sani also mentioned other successes, including the state’s Social Investment Programs, where 65,848 women, out of 70,051, benefitted from the Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme.

In addition, the Governor revealed that his administration has boosted the Kaduna State Women Economic Empowerment Funds (KADSWEF), a special initiative to help women access financial resources. “We allocated N200 million in the 2024 Budget for this Fund. So far, 10,786 women have benefitted, and we’re ready to begin distributing the next round of funds,” he said.

The Governor also shared that more than 5,000 rural and semi-urban women have been trained in modern agricultural techniques, like large-scale rice shelling, which helps increase productivity and reduce costs. Over 120 women and adolescent girls have gained new skills in vocational training and entrepreneurship.

“We are investing in women because when we invest in women, we are investing in the future of Kaduna State,” the Governor stated, adding that his administration plans to keep working hard to improve the economy.

He also mentioned the Kaduna State Enterprise Development Agency (KADEDA), which has supported 8,649 small businesses with grants ranging from N50,000 to N300,000, helping them grow.

Another significant achievement came through the A Kori Talauchi program, which has helped 4,912 underserved women across the state. The Governor also highlighted the success of the Kaduna Food Festival 2024, held from April 11th to 14th, where 100 food vendors were supported, allowing women to showcase their local businesses.

Governor Sani promised to continue supporting women entrepreneurs, with plans to create innovation hubs, mentorship programs, and more training to help women thrive in business. He also launched the Kaduna State Women Economic Empowerment Policy, alongside the Women Peace and Security Action Plan and the Youth Peace and Security Action Plan.

Finally, he encouraged everyone—private companies, community leaders, and citizens—to support this agenda. “When women succeed, we all succeed,” he said. “Let’s create a Kaduna where every girl knows she can dream big, and every woman feels valued, supported, and celebrated.”

For his work, Governor Uba Sani was honored with the title Champion of Gender Equality and Women Economic Empowerment.