Bello Alhassan, Kaduna
DAILY COURIER - The Federal Government has secured a $134 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support Nigerian farmers and boost food production, as part of a broader effort to enhance food security nationwide.
This announcement was made on Thursday by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, during the launch of the 2024/2025 National Dry Season Farming initiative in Calabar, Cross River State.
Minister Kyari highlighted the critical role the loan would play in advancing Nigeria’s agricultural productivity. By reintroducing national dry season farming, the initiative aims to facilitate year-round agricultural activity and ensure that more Nigerians have access to affordable and nutritious food. This project falls under the National Agricultural Growth Support Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), a framework designed to support sustainable agriculture.
In an official statement, the ministry outlined its vision to leverage agriculture as a primary driver of economic recovery. The initiative will focus on increasing the production of staple crops—including wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybean, and cassava—across both dry and wet farming seasons. The reintroduction of the national dry season farming project is intended to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported food products and strengthen domestic food reserves.
The minister noted that in the 2023/2024 dry season alone, 107,429 wheat farmers received government support under the first phase of the project, followed by 43,997 rice farmers in the second phase. In the most recent 2024 wet season, an additional 192,095 farmers received support for cultivating rice, maize, sorghum, soybean, and cassava across all 37 states, including the Federal Capital Territory.
Kyari specifically lauded Cross River State for its leadership role in wheat production, acknowledging its contribution as a leading wheat-producing state among 16 others. He commended the state government’s commitment to wheat farming, which enabled its inclusion in the initial phase of the new dry season farming initiative.
“For the 2024/2025 dry season, we aim to support 250,000 wheat farmers across wheat-producing states with subsidized agricultural inputs, targeting 250,000 hectares to achieve an anticipated yield of 750,000 metric tons,” Kyari stated. This initiative, he explained, would play a crucial role in bolstering Nigeria’s food reserves and reducing dependency on wheat imports. The plan also includes assisting an additional 150,000 rice farmers in the second phase, with an expected output of 450,000 metric tons.
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, expressed strong support for the initiative. Represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, Governor Otu highlighted the state’s deliberate policy focus on agriculture as a means to bolster food security. “Our inclusion as a leading wheat farming state will motivate us to intensify our efforts in grain and seed production for food availability,” Odey said.
The National Project Coordinator for NAGS-AP, Mr. Buba Ishaku, further explained that the project will be executed in two phases, ensuring farmers have access to high-quality seeds and grains. The initiative aims to provide ongoing support and resources, such as seeds, fertilizers, and other essential inputs, to help farmers improve yield and increase food production across the country.
The 2024/2025 National Dry Season Farming initiative is seen as a significant step towards achieving Nigeria's food security goals and reducing reliance on imported food items. With substantial backing from the AfDB and support from both federal and state governments, the program is expected to make a tangible impact on Nigeria’s agricultural sector and the country’s economic stability.
