The Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully secured a N65 billion loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to enhance agricultural productivity for staple food crops throughout the dry season, and beyond.
Mrs. Oluwatoyin Alade, the Acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, disclosed this development during a meeting with stakeholders. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the progress of the 2023–2024 dry season wheat production in 15 states and strategically plan for the upcoming second phase, with a focus on rice, maize, and cassava.
Under the Policy Base Operations (PBO) initiative, funded by the African Emergency Food Production Facility (AEFPF), the programme is set to roll out across all states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) over the next two years.
Mrs. Alade stated, “The National Agricultural Growth Scheme, NAGS, has a strategic goal of enhancing food production and stabilising agricultural commodity prices while providing crucial farm inputs to small-scale farmers and extending institutional support for long-term sustainability.”
As the Ministry took stock of the achievements and challenges encountered during the 2023–2024 dry season wheat production, a firm commitment was made to rectify any shortcomings and ensure the integrity of the programme. The emphasis was placed on adhering to guidelines and principles in supply chain activities and utilising reliable technology systems to promote transparency and accountability.
During the stakeholders’ review and preparatory event for the NAGS Agricultural Production (NAGS-AP), particular attention was given to the previous dry season programme, with applause for the distribution of certified wheat seeds and agricultural inputs to farmers. The official flag-off ceremony in Jigawa State marked the commencement of 2023–2024 dry season farming.