Bala Mohammed, on Monday, officially launched the 2025–2026 dry-season farming programme in Misau, positioning agriculture as the backbone of the state’s drive for food security, employment generation, and long-term economic growth.
Speaking at the ceremony, the governor said Bauchi’s strong agrarian base has informed a series of deliberate reforms since 2019 aimed at strengthening productivity and protecting rural livelihoods. He outlined measures introduced by his administration, including the revival of agricultural extension services, a fertilizer subsidy of up to 40 percent, mechanisation support for farmers and the reactivation of the state’s fertilizer blending plant.
He announced plans to procure hundreds of additional tractors to scale up output and reduce the burden on smallholder farmers. According to him, the government will reinforce a transparent hiring system to ensure equitable access to farm equipment, particularly for small-scale producers who often struggle with affordability and availability.
The governor added that irrigation infrastructure will be expanded to transform farming into a year-round enterprise, reducing dependence on rainfall and cushioning farmers against climate variability. The move is expected to boost dry-season cultivation and stabilise food supply across the state.
He also highlighted ongoing youth and women empowerment initiatives tied to agriculture, noting that skills acquisition programmes and partnerships with the World Bank and other international firms are designed to modernise farming practices. Science-driven methods, including soil mapping and the use of climate data, will be deployed to improve yields and ensure environmental sustainability.
Beyond production, the administration pledged to improve farm security, expand storage facilities, and strengthen cooperative-based systems to ensure farm inputs reach genuine beneficiaries. For micro and small agribusiness operators, these measures could lower post-harvest losses, improve market access, and enhance income stability.
The governor urged communities to safeguard public agricultural assets and promote responsible land use, while stressing the importance of peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders to sustain productivity and rural stability.
“Today, we are not just planting crops,” he said. “We are planting prosperity and building a peaceful, food-secure Bauchi.”