By Abigail Philip David
The Federal Government has secured a $134 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) aimed at enhancing agricultural production in Nigeria, with a particular focus on seeds and grains.
This development was confirmed in a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on Thursday. The ministry’s Chief Information Officer, Eremah Anthonia, explained that the loan will support farmers across the country, enabling them to increase the production of staple crops and improve national food security.
“The Federal Government has secured a $134 million loan from the African Development Bank to help farmers boost seeds and grain production in the country,” the statement said.
Announcing the loan at the launch of the 2024/2025 National Dry Season Farming Initiative in Calabar, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, highlighted the significance of the loan for the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu, represented by Deputy Governor Peter Odey, joined Kyari in emphasizing the importance of year-round farming.
“This loan will be instrumental in securing food supply by supporting the production of key crops such as wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybean, and cassava,” Kyari noted.
The loan is part of the National Agricultural Growth Support Scheme – Agro Pocket Project, an initiative aimed at helping Nigerian farmers meet the rising demand for food. Kyari reiterated the government’s commitment to food security, pointing out that an emergency had been declared to ensure affordable access to nutritious food nationwide.
Providing updates on current support for farmers under the 2023/2024 dry season program, Kyari reported that 107,429 wheat farmers and 43,997 rice farmers have already received assistance, with additional support provided to nearly 192,095 farmers cultivating rice, maize, sorghum, millet, soybean, and cassava.
Kyari also emphasized Cross River’s key role in wheat production, stating that over 3,000 wheat farmers in the state will benefit from the new funding. “Cross River has shown strong commitment to wheat production, and we are partnering with the state to enhance national wheat supply, beginning with the 2024/2025 dry season farming,” he said.
This initiative aims to support 250,000 wheat farmers across wheat-producing states, with a projected output of 750,000 metric tons of wheat, reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports. Additionally, 150,000 rice farmers will be supported, with an expected output of 450,000 metric tons of rice across all 37 states, including the Federal Capital Territory.
Governor Otu reaffirmed Cross River’s dedication to agricultural development, saying, “We are committed to ensuring food availability, and this collaboration will help us produce more grains and seeds for the nation.”
Mr. Buba Ishaku, National Project Coordinator for the National Agricultural Growth Support Scheme, also highlighted the project’s impact. “The initiative will provide farmers with quality seeds and grains to boost crop yield, benefiting millions across the country,” he stated.
