The Bauchi State government has signed a $158 million financial agreement to implement the value chain development programme in the state.
The programme, co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the federal government, is set to be executed across ten northern states, including Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi.
The deputy governor of Bauchi State, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Auwal Jatau, who signed the agreement on behalf of Governor Bala Mohammed, reiterated Bauchi State’s full commitment to the initiative’s successful execution.
He described the programme as a transformative effort to enhance agricultural productivity, stimulate economic resilience, and improve livelihoods across the participating states.
A statement issued by Jatau‘s spokesperson, Muslim Lawal on Thursday, said the signing ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Jatau noted that the Value Chain Programme aligns closely with Governor Bala Mohammed’s vision of leveraging Bauchi State’s agricultural resources to foster industrialisation, create jobs, and uplift the economic well-being of its citizens.
„This momentous occasion marks a pivotal step in our collective drive toward sustainable development, food security, and economic empowerment.
„Under the leadership of Governor Bala Mohammed, we’ve developed a robust agricultural development plan that capitalizes on our land assets to unlock the state’s industrial potential,“ Jatau added.
He highlighted Bauchi State’s recent certification as a food export processing zone as a testament to the administration’s dedication to boosting agricultural output and integrating the state into regional and global agro-markets.
Jatau further assured that Bauchi State will provide an enabling environment for the programme’s implementation, while continuing to support policies that promote agricultural development, ease of doing business, and private sector participation.
„Our administration’s involvement in the World Bank-supported State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) initiative underscores our determination to drive meaningful reforms,“ he said.
He concluded by expressing appreciation to all development partners, stakeholders, and agencies for their continued collaboration, which he said is key to building a sustainable and prosperous future for Bauchi State.
