Confusion has emerged in Taraba State over the disappearance of 8,000 bags of fertilizer supplied under the Federal Government’s food security program.
The fertilizer was part of 20,000 bags delivered to the state in July 2026 through the Fertilizer Input Support Program introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to boost agricultural production nationwide.
Findings show that 12,000 bags were distributed to the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Taraba chapter, while the remaining 8,000 bags were allocated for onward distribution to farmers through the Taraba State Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
However, weeks after the allocation, the 8,000 bags cannot be accounted for, with federal and state officials giving conflicting accounts.
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture in the state said it received and stored the fertilizer before handing it over to the state ministry in the presence of security agencies. Officials insist all 8,000 bags were transferred and none remained in federal custody.
But the Taraba State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security denied that the state handled the distribution, maintaining that the Federal Ministry was responsible.
While the 12,000 bags allocated to AFAN were reportedly distributed openly to farmers in Jalingo, many smallholder farmers say they have not received any fertilizer from the remaining allocation despite the ongoing farming season.
Farmers have called on the Federal Government, security agencies, and the Taraba State Government to investigate the matter and recover the missing fertilizer.
The conflicting claims have raised concerns about transparency in the distribution process, leaving the whereabouts of the fertilizer and its intended impact on food production uncertain.
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