Bauchi Governor Launches 2026 Dry Season Farming, Pledges Support for Over 1,250 Farmers

By Khalid Idris Doya 

Bauchi, Nigeria, February 17, 2026(Series News Online)

Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has launched the 2026 dry season farming in Bauchi State, emphasizing the importance of agriculture in driving food security, prosperity, and job creation.

"Our prosperity is tied to the soil and to the farm," Governor Mohammed said. "We have launched a comprehensive agricultural policy as a roadmap for transforming the entire value chain from production to processing and marketing."

The Governor disclosed that the state is investing heavily in agriculture, including the production of fertilizer, with a new production line worth N2 billion expected to boost local production.

"We have revived the agricultural development programme, restored its funding, and strengthened extension services so that our farmers receive guidance directly in their communities," he said.

Governor Mohammed also announced that the state has trained 1,250 youths and women at the skills acquisition centre, with each participant receiving starter packs worth N400,000 to establish agribusinesses.

The Commissioner of Agriculture, Ilyasu Aliyu Gital, assured farmers of timely distribution of inputs and pledged full implementation of interventions.

"We are now more field-oriented, ensuring that extension agents, communities, and farmers are present, guiding farmers on improved farming practices and climate management," Gital said.

The launch was attended by traditional rulers, community leaders, and stakeholders, who were urged to maintain peace and promote harmonious relations between farmers and herders.

Governor Mohammed also cautioned traditional rulers against indiscriminate allocation or sale of reserve lands, stressing that they serve long-term communal needs, including designated grazing areas.

"We will not hesitate to intervene where abuses occur," he warned.

The Governor expressed confidence that the initiative would expand irrigation, encourage modern techniques, and ensure year-round cultivation, moving agriculture beyond seasonal practices across the state economy sustainably forward.