Calabar, Nigeria – The Federal Government has secured a $134 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support farmers in Nigeria, aiming to enhance seed and grain production across the country. The announcement was made by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, during the flag-off ceremony for the 2024/2025 National Dry Season Farming in Calabar, Cross River State. The event was attended by key stakeholders, including the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu, who was represented by Deputy Governor Peter Odey.
Strategic Funding for National Food Security
The $134 million loan is part of a broader initiative under the National Agricultural Growth Support Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), aimed at driving sustainable agricultural development and ensuring national food security. The funding will play a pivotal role in scaling up agricultural production, particularly in seed and grain production, to enhance food availability year-round. The initiative is designed to support farmers during both the dry and wet farming seasons, helping to mitigate the impact of seasonal variations on food production.
Government’s Commitment to Agricultural Growth
In his remarks, Minister Kyari emphasized the government’s commitment to achieving food security through increased agricultural productivity. He highlighted that the National Agricultural Growth Support Scheme would help support farmers in producing staple crops like wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybeans, and cassava, aiming for year-round production. The initiative is part of the government’s broader strategy to tackle food insecurity, support local farmers, and reduce the country’s reliance on food imports.
Kyari also mentioned that the government had declared a food production emergency, underlining the importance of producing nutritious and affordable food for Nigerians.
Support for Farmers and Expected Impact
Under the 2023/2024 dry season farming initiative, 107,429 wheat farmers and 43,997 rice farmers received targeted support, while over 192,000 farmers were supported during the 2024 wet season. The support provided includes subsidized agricultural inputs, including quality seeds and fertilizers, to help farmers increase productivity and output.
For the 2024/2025 dry season, the government aims to provide assistance to 250,000 wheat farmers, cultivating 250,000 hectares, with an expected yield of 750,000 metric tons of wheat. This is expected to significantly strengthen the country’s food reserves, reduce dependency on wheat imports, and improve domestic consumption of locally produced wheat.
The second phase of the initiative will target 150,000 rice farmers, aiming to produce 450,000 metric tons of rice across all 37 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This initiative will further contribute to improving rice production, which is a key staple in Nigeria’s diet.
Regional Highlights: Cross River’s Role in Wheat Production
Cross River State has been singled out for its leadership in wheat production, with over 3,000 wheat farmers in the state expected to benefit from the new funding. The state’s dedication to wheat farming has led to a federal partnership to launch the first-ever wheat production project as part of the 2024/2025 dry season farming program.
Collaborative Effort for Food Security
The flag-off event in Calabar was attended by various stakeholders, including international development partners, state commissioners of agriculture, and permanent secretaries from across the country, highlighting the collaborative effort between federal, state, and international agencies to achieve national food security.
Buba Ishaku, the National Project Coordinator for the National Agricultural Growth Support Scheme (NAGS-AP), stressed that the project will be implemented in two phases, focusing on providing farmers with quality seeds and grains to boost production. The scheme is designed to benefit farmers at the grassroots level, particularly in rural communities, where agriculture is the primary livelihood.
Conclusion: Strengthening Nigeria’s Agricultural Sector
The $134 million AfDB loan marks a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to revitalize its agricultural sector. With year-round production and improved access to quality seeds, the initiative aims to enhance food security, boost local production of essential crops, and contribute to economic recovery. As the country faces growing challenges related to food scarcity, these targeted interventions in the agricultural sector are expected to have a lasting impact on both food availability and the livelihoods of farmers nationwide.
