From Ibraheem Musa, Katsina
With the recent peace deal attained in Katsina state, many farmers are optimistic that this year’s wet-season is going to be far better than previous years when bandits vices was at its peak. Their confidence on returning to their farms without the fear of being abducted or subjected to several trauma is at its minimal level.
Katsina State is a major agricultural hub in Northwestern Nigeria, dominated by small-scale farmers and known for massive production of cereals, legumes, and cash crops like cotton. With 67% of its land cultivated, it plays a key role in national food security, particularly in sorghum, millet, and horticulture.
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Our reporter gathered that despite lingering security challenges caused by banditry, both farmers and government officials are optimistic about a successful dry season, buoyed by a recent peace deal and the relative calm now being experienced across the state and its surrounding areas.
Hamisu Bello Batagarawa is a farmer whose capability and ability to grow crops was altered by the insecurity. According to him, farmers have started seeing the light at the end of the tunnel from last year’s wet-season activities
He explained that with the way the last year’s season was conducted it is obvious that the peace deal reached will continue to work and farmers can now freely go to their farms without any form of hindrance.
“As a farmer, I know what is were when we were forced to abandoned our farmlands, many of us have lost a huge fortune as a result of that. We have no option than to abandon our plantations and ran for our lives. However, with the peace accord reached, we have noticed a remarkable positive development last year and that has given many farmers in Katsina state the courage to get prepared fully for a full pledged agricultural activities ahead of the 2026 wet- season,” he said.
Another farmer Malam Shamsu Dan Hajiya revealed that, it is obvious that the Katsina state government in collaboration with other international agencies are doing a good job in ensuring that farmers have been allowed to go to farm fully in 2026.
“We have heard and also witnessed the efforts being made by government officials and some international agencies on this issue, and that is why the farmers have resolved to fully partake in the wet-season farming activities. We are praying and hopping that the peace attained is sustained and managed adequately,” said Dan Hajiya.
Agro Climate News also reported that in a renewed push to strengthen food production and support rural livelihoods, the Katsina State Government has approved the procurement of 20,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser for the 2026 wet farming season as a step forward to revitalise the agricultural sector and ensure farmers have timely access to critical inputs at a subsidized rate.
The fertiliser, which includes various blends such as NPK and urea, will be distributed to farmers at subsidised rates to ease the burden of rising input costs and improve productivity and that these inputs will be given to the farmers at a good time for them to be able to effectively utilize it.
According to the state commissioner for agriculture, Alhaji Aminu Kawai Zakari the initiative forms part of the government’s wider agricultural reform agenda, which also prioritises farm mechanisation, improved extension services, and increased investment in modern farming techniques.
“Empowering farmers remains central to tackling poverty and unemployment and to a larger extent the insecurity challenges. It is equally important to note that on the complementary effort, the Federal Government has also earmarked about 1,000 small-scale farmers in the state for the distribution of free agricultural inputs, targeting vulnerable groups to further expand food production,” he said.
Similarly, an agricultural expert with the state ministry of agriculture Malam Bala Maude, revealed that the combined interventions by both the state and federal governments could play a crucial role in addressing food security challenges, particularly in the face of climate change and security concerns affecting farming activities in parts of the state.
“With the rainy season approaching, many farmers in Katsina have expressed optimism that early access to fertiliser and other inputs will enable them to maximise yields and sustain agricultural activities throughout the year,” he stated.
