The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has commenced the distribution of agricultural inputs to about 210,000 people affected by insurgency across Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states as part of efforts to boost food production, restore livelihoods and strengthen food security in Nigeria’s Northeast.
The distribution exercise, officially launched on Tuesday in Maiduguri, is expected to benefit 30,000 farming households with improved seeds, fertiliser, livestock feed and other agricultural support ahead of the 2026 farming season.
Speaking during the launch, the FAO Country Representative in Nigeria, Dr. Hussein Gadain, said the intervention is designed to help vulnerable families return to farming, generate income and rebuild their lives after years of conflict and displacement.
According to Gadain, the programme is funded by the governments of Norway, Switzerland and Japan.
He disclosed that beneficiaries will receive 163 metric tonnes of improved cereal, legume and vegetable seeds, 238 metric tonnes of NPK fertiliser, 375 metric tonnes of livestock feed, 118,000 poultry pullets, 3,000 goats and 116 metric tonnes of Tom Brown nutritional food.
Beyond emergency support, Gadain said FAO is implementing several long-term agricultural development initiatives across the region, including the establishment of irrigation cluster farms, solar-powered irrigation systems, aquaculture projects, Tom Brown production centres, dairy and fodder facilities, and the promotion of climate-smart farming practices to support year-round agricultural production.
He noted that the intervention comes at a critical time as food insecurity continues to worsen across the country due to insecurity, displacement, climate-related challenges and rising food prices.
Citing the May 2026 Cadre Harmonisé Projection Update, Gadain said an estimated 36.29 million people across 27 states and the Federal Capital Territory are expected to experience Crisis (Phase 3) or worse levels of food and nutrition insecurity during the June-to-August lean season.
He added that approximately 6.38 million people in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states alone are projected to face Phase 3 or higher food insecurity during the same period.
Gadain commended the Borno State Government for its continued partnership and reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to supporting sustainable agriculture, livelihood restoration and resilience-building across the three northeastern states.
He also expressed appreciation to the governments of Norway, Switzerland and Japan for their continued investment in food security and recovery programmes in conflict-affected communities.
“As we begin the 2026 rainy season distribution, our collective responsibility is to ensure farming families have the opportunity to recover, improve their productivity and build a more secure future,” Gadain said.
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bukar Tijani, described the intervention as timely and urged beneficiaries to make full use of the farming season.
He said the state government would continue to implement policies that promote self-reliance among farmers while prioritising agricultural production as a key strategy for achieving food security.
Tijani noted that the long-standing partnership between FAO and the Borno State Government has continued to deliver positive outcomes for farming communities affected by insurgency.
He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to strengthening farmers resilience, increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring adequate food availability across Borno State through sustained collaboration with development partners.
