The Federal Government has signed an agreement with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to commit over $158 million to support smallholder farmers in nine states across northern Nigeria.
An agreement was signed during a meeting chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, with several governors and deputy governors from the northern region in attendance.
The eight-year programme was initiated in response to Vice President Shettima’s appeal at the UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment in Rome on July 24, 2023, where he urged the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to expand its operations in Nigeria and bring in additional partners and donors to support the Renewed Hope Agenda’s vision for agricultural transformation and food security.
The initiative aims to sustainably alleviate poverty, improve nutrition, and enhance the resilience of vulnerable rural communities across nine northern states: Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.
At the signing ceremony, Vice President Shettima described the agreement as a key milestone in delivering on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s promise to fight poverty, empower farmers, and guarantee food security in Nigeria.
“This is a declaration of belief in the North—not as a region defined by lack, but one rich in potential,” Shettima stated. “It’s a call to action to fulfill our pledge to uplift communities, improve nourishment, and restore pride to farming families across these nine states.”
The agreement involves a $158.15 million investment, jointly funded by IFAD, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), the Federal Government of Nigeria, and other stakeholders. According to the Vice President, this underscores President Tinubu’s focus on people, productivity, and prosperity.
Shettima also noted that the administration has begun laying the foundation for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs) nationwide. The newly signed VCN programme will complement these zones by supplying a consistent flow of raw materials, ensuring processors have reliable access to quality agricultural inputs.
