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| Bala Mohammed inaugurates fertilizer blending plant upgrade |
On June 29, 2025, Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed unveiled a ₦45 billion plan to upgrade the state-owned fertilizer blending plant. The move aims to lift capacity to 45 tonnes of NPK fertilizer per hour. Farmers will gain better access to key inputs for the 2025 cropping season.
The upgrade comes as part of a strategic tie-up with Morocco’s Office Chérifien des Phosphates (OCP) Group. The partnership will bring in technical know-how and phosphate rock to blend with local urea. It is set to strengthen Nigeria’s drive for fertilizer self-reliance.
Agriculture drives nearly 25% of Bauchi’s GDP and employs over 60% of its workforce. Yet many smallholders still struggle to get quality fertilizer on time and at fair prices. The state aims to cut wait times and slash transport costs by blending fertilizer closer to farms in Alkaleri Local Government Area .
By boosting output to 45 tonnes per hour, the plant will turn out roughly 360,000 tonnes a year. This marks a 125% rise over current output. Officials say the surge will meet nearly all of Bauchi’s annual fertilizer needs and supply neighboring states on demand.
OCP Group is the world’s top phosphate miner and fertilizer maker. It holds more than 70% of global phosphate rock reserves . In West Africa, OCP Africa already runs blending sites in Kaduna, Sokoto, and Ogun states. Those plants blend soil-tailored formulas for maize, sorghum, and rice.
OCP Africa’s local arm also educates farmers on soil testing and best crop practices. Its Agribooster program has reached 70,000 farmers with training and credit since 2017 . Bauchi’s government expects similar gains from their joint venture.
Governments often struggle to price fertilizer so smallholders can afford it. Bauchi will sell NPK at a heavily subsidized rate. Exact prices will vary by blend and zone. Officials say full soil tests guided the choice of formulas for each farming area.
In 2024, Bauchi spent over ₦2 billion on soil sample work across all 20 local councils. The tests covered pH, organic matter, and key nutrients. Extension agents used handheld probes on 15,000 plots to tailor NPK ratios to local needs.
Alongside fertilizer, the state has added 20 tractors for free use by cooperatives. Another 40 tractors are on order under a low-interest loan scheme. Beneficiaries must form village groups and pledge to use modern methods.
The plan is to boost mechanization. Tractor hire rates will be set at cost-recovery levels of ₦10,000 per hectare. That is less than half market rates and will save farmers up to ₦40,000 per hectare on land prep .
To bring fresh energy to farming, the government trained 1,000 youths in modern agronomy. Courses ran in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and OCP’s field labs. Graduates learn seed selection, fertilizer use, and crop protection.
Civil servants at grade level 12 and below get two paid days off each week to work on personal or community farms. The idea is to spark agribusiness startups and show that farming can be profitable. Last season, all state staff repaid their input loans in full.
Nigeria imports over 70% of its fertilizer needs. Global shortages and rising transport costs can delay shipments. Blending plants like Bauchi’s cut out lengthy import supply chains. Local production also cuts forex demand, easing pressure on the naira.
The Federal Government has set a target to build at least one blending plant in each geopolitical zone by 2026. Bauchi’s upgrade aligns with that plan. It also taps into the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative launched in 2017, which sees OCP as a key partner.
With more fertilizer on hand, farmers can plant larger areas. If 50,000 new hectares use proper NPK at recommended rates, maize and rice yields could rise by up to 30%. That would add over 150,000 tonnes to the state’s harvest in 2025 .
Higher output will trim grain imports and lower local food prices. Analysts say a 10% yield gain in Bauchi could save up to ₦8 billion in consumer spending and raise rural incomes by 12%.
Local farmer Aisha Idris welcomed the plan. “Last year, I paid over ₦20,000 per bag,” she said. “This season, I hope to buy at ₦8,000.” She plans to double her maize plot from 1 to 2 hectares .
Agronomy expert Dr. Chinedu Eze stressed the need for timely delivery. “Fertilizer must reach farms just before planting starts,” he said. “Storage and road links to rural areas are key to avoid spoilage”.
Economist Prof. Grace Adepoju noted, “This is a big fiscal push. The challenge is to monitor subsidy use and curb leakages.” She suggested digital vouchers and farm-gate checks to ensure fair access .
A joint taskforce of state agriculture and finance officials will track plant output and subsidy flows. Reports will be shared monthly in public dashboards. Stakeholders can flag issues on a hotline and via SMS .
The plant upgrade is due to finish by March 2026. Training sessions for plant operators and quality control officers will start in October 2025. Farmers can pre-register for vouchers starting January 2026 .
Bauchi’s N45 billion commitment marks one of the largest state-level bets on fertilizer self-sufficiency in Nigeria. By blending technical skill, youth empowerment and targeted subsidies, the government aims to secure a bumper 2025 cropping season. If all goes to plan Bauchi may set a model for other states to follow on the road to food security.