Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant has launched the 2026 edition of its Farmers’ Empowerment Programme, distributing free agricultural inputs and capacity-building training to 60 farmers drawn from its 17 host communities.
According to a statement on Tuesday by the company, each beneficiary received three bags of 50kg NPK fertilizer; Two bags of Urea fertilizer; One Knapsack sprayer and Ten litres of Force-Up herbicide, alongside training on crop protection and pest management aimed at improving yields and reducing post-harvest losses.
Speaking at the event, the Plant Director, Ayyagari Subbaraidu said the initiative, now in its fifth consecutive year at Ibese, was designed to build a sustainable agricultural ecosystem, within the company’s host communities.
He noted that the programme has so far reached 300 farmers, who have collectively cultivated more than 800 acres of farmland and produced over 40,000 tonnes agricultural input.
“At Dangote Cement, we understand that while we manufacture cement for the construction of homes, schools, hospitals, roads, and other critical infrastructure, true development is ultimately about people,” Subbaraidu said, adding that the free distribution of inputs was meant to ease the financial burden on farmers and encourage more efficient, modern farming practices.
Representatives of the host communities praised the programme as a “game changer” that has boosted food production while strengthening ties between the company and its neighbours.
Beneficiary Akanbi Moses, from the Aga-Olowo community, said the free inputs and training had measurably improved his productivity and income, allowing him to expand his farming activities.
Hon, Segun Ableto, representing the Chairman of Yewa North Local Government, described the programme as a model of effective public-private partnership and commended Dangote Cement for complementing government efforts to strengthen agricultural production in the region. He urged beneficiaries to make full use of the inputs and training provided.
Comrade Dayo Ogunyinka, chairman of the communities Joint Consultative Committee, also thanked Dangote Cement for sustaining the programme, saying it had continued to strengthen farmers’ capacity and deepen relations between the company and its host communities.
