The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a $134 million loan from the African Development Bank, AfDB, to enhance seed and grain production, according to a press release from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this during the launch of the 2024/2025 National Dry Season Farming initiative in Calabar.
The event was attended by the Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Peter Odey, representing Governor Bassey Otu.
Kyari stated that the reintroduction of national dry season farming is intended to facilitate year-round agricultural production.
He explained that the loan will be critical in ensuring Nigeria’s food security under the National Agricultural Growth Support Scheme-Agro Pocket, NAGS-AP, Project.
“With this initiative, the government has declared an emergency on food production to enable all Nigerians to access quality and nutritious food at affordable rates,” Kyari said, adding that the government seeks to revive the economy by increasing the production of staple crops such as wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybean, and cassava.
He revealed that in the 2023/2024 dry season, 107,429 wheat farmers and 43,997 rice farmers received support, with an additional 192,095 rice, maize, sorghum, millet, soybean, and cassava farmers benefiting during the 2024 wet season across the 37 states, including the Federal Capital Territory.
The Minister commended Cross River State for leading in wheat production, with over 3,000 wheat farmers listed for support.
“Cross River’s dedication to wheat production has made it an ideal partner as the federal government launches its maiden wheat production initiative, starting this dry season,” Kyari noted.
He further stated, “For the 2024/2025 dry season farming, the project targets support for 250,000 wheat farmers across wheat-producing states with subsidised agricultural inputs to cultivate around 250,000 hectares, aiming to produce approximately 750,000 metric tons of wheat for food reserves, reducing import dependence, and enhancing domestic consumption. The programme will also support 150,000 rice farmers nationwide, with an expected yield of about 450,000 metric tons.”
Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu expressed the state’s commitment to boosting food availability through a dedicated agricultural policy.
“This will further propel us to intensify more efforts at producing more grains and seeds for food availability,” he said.
The National Project Coordinator, Mr. Buba Ishaku, highlighted that the NAGS-AP project would roll out in two phases, providing farmers with quality seeds and grains.
The event saw attendance from key stakeholders, international development partners, state commissioners of agriculture, and permanent secretaries from various states.
The ceremony concluded with the official flagging-off of the 2024/2025 National Dry Season Farming programme by the Honourable Ministers.
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