The federal government yesterday announced a $134 million loan obtained from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support farmers to enhance food production.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari who revealed the deal, stated that the loan would play a crucial role in strengthening Nigeria’s food security drive.
At the launch of the 2024/2025 National Dry Season Farming initiative in Calabar, the minister emphasised that the reintroduction of national dry season farming aims to facilitate year-round agricultural productivity.
The project is part of the National Agricultural Growth Support Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP).
According to a statement issued by the ministry in Abuja, the initiative seeks to ensure that all Nigerians have affordable access to nutritious food.
“The government also intends to leverage agriculture as a driving force for economic revival by increasing the production of staple crops such as wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybean, and cassava across both dry and wet farming seasons”, the statement noted.
The minister also revealed that in the 2023/2024 dry season alone, 107,429 wheat farmers received support under the first phase of the project, followed by 43,997 rice farmers under the second phase.
Most recently, he added that 192,095 farmers growing rice, maize, sorghum, soybean, and cassava were supported in the 2024 wet season across all 37 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Kyari lauded Cross River State for its leadership in wheat production, noting that the state is at the forefront among 16 other states in this sector.
He acknowledged the Cross River government’s dedication to wheat farming, which led to its inclusion in the initial phase of the 2024/2025 dry season initiative.
“For the 2024/2025 dry season, we aim to support 250,000 wheat farmers across wheat-producing states with subsidised agricultural inputs, targeting 250,000 hectares for an anticipated yield of 750,000 metric tons. This will bolster our food reserves and reduce reliance on wheat imports,” Kyari said.
He added that 150,000 rice farmers will also receive assistance during the second phase, with an expected output of 450,000 metric tons nationwide.
Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu expressed his government’s commitment to the initiative, noting the state’s deliberate agricultural policy to enhance food security.
Represented by his deputy, Peter Odey, Otu said, “Our inclusion as a leading wheat farming state will motivate us to intensify our efforts in grain and seed production for food availability,” he stated.
National Project Coordinator for NAGS-AP, Buba Ishaku, highlighted that the project will be executed in two phases, focusing on providing farmers with high-quality seeds and grains.
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