The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the government of Katsina State have forged a partnership to accelerate agricultural development through strategic collaboration between the fund and subnational governments.
The collaboration was cemented yesterday during Katsina Governor Dikko Radda’s high-profile visit to the NADF headquarters in Abuja. Both parties outlined shared goals to empower rural farmers, reduce poverty, and drive Nigeria’s agrarian economy toward self-sufficiency.
Speaking at the event, Nasir Ingawa, head of partnerships and investor relations at NADF, stressed the agency’s core mandate of fostering sustainable agricultural growth in collaboration with state governments.
“This visit was not only to congratulate the new executive secretary of NADF, Mohammed Abu Ibrahim, but also to explore areas of cooperation that align with our mission of promoting food security nationwide,” he said.
The governor’s visit was anchored by a firm commitment to advance practical collaboration on multiple fronts of agricultural enterprise, particularly in Katsina State.
Governor Radda, accompanied by senior officials from his agricultural team, highlighted the state’s comprehensive approach to revitalising its agriculture sector, which includes mechanisation and smart, climate-resilient farming techniques.
The governor further revealed groundbreaking efforts in data-driven intervention, noting that Katsina has created a baseline survey of its farmers and established a dedicated Agricultural Development Programme (ADP) unit to manage and monitor all support from partners.
He also announced upcoming initiatives, including commissioning agricultural mechanisation centres across all 34 local governments in Katsina.
According to him, the centres will be equipped with over 400 tractors, 1,000 planters, combined harvesters, and tilling implements. Over 4,000 power tillers have also been distributed to rural farmers to replace traditional cattle-powered tools, which have declined due to insecurity and rustling.
One of the focal points of the discussion was the Sabke Dam in Katsina, which has been identified as a pilot project under the NADF’s new renewable infrastructure fund.
The dam, constructed over two decades ago, is now being repurposed for full-scale irrigation. With over 1,200 hectares of cultivable land, the project is set to impact thousands of farmers and create significant direct and indirect employment.
Governor Radda lauded the efforts of NADF and affirmed the state’s commitment to full cooperation.
He said, “We are not only ready to partner, we are fully aligned with the President’s initiative to drive food security, job creation, and economic independence through agriculture.
With NADF’s support and strategic alignment, we can scale innovations and bring real transformation to our people.”
The executive-secretary of NADF, Abu Ibrahim, was commended for his leadership and tasked with extending the fund’s impact beyond Katsina to all 36 states, ensuring equitable development across the federation.
