By Abdullahi Lukman
The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a $134 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to enhance seed and grain production as part of efforts to ensure national food security.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, announced the facility during the launch of the 2024/2025 National Dry Season Farming in Calabar, Cross River State.
He said the funds would support the reintroduction of dry season farming under the National Agricultural Growth Support Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) Project.
Kyari stated that the loan aligns with the government’s declaration of a state of emergency on food production and is aimed at increasing the production of staple crops such as wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybean, and cassava during both dry and wet seasons.
As part of the campaign, 250,000 wheat farmers across 17 states—including over 3,000 in Cross River—will benefit from subsidised inputs to cultivate 250,000 hectares, targeting an output of 750,000 metric tonnes of wheat.
An additional 150,000 rice farmers will also receive support, with a projected harvest of 450,000 metric tonnes.
Kyari further revealed a major agricultural mechanisation plan approved by the National Economic Council.
The 10-year $1 billion Greener Hope Agric Mechanisation Consortium aims to establish 1,000 agro-service centres and deploy 2,000 tractors annually, creating job opportunities for over 600,000 youths.
In response to rising food prices, the government has begun distributing 30,000 metric tonnes of milled rice at subsidised rates of N40,000 per 50kg bag nationwide.
Kyari said this would help reduce the cost of rice and related food items.
Addressing crop disease, the minister disclosed that N1.6 billion had been allocated to support ginger farmers affected by blight in Kaduna and Plateau States.
He added that a ginger master plan had been developed to boost local production and export.
Additionally, 42,000 metric tonnes of food grains and 20 trailers of rice per state have been released from the Federal Government’s Strategic Food Reserve to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) for nationwide distribution.
Kyari reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment under the Renewed Hope Agenda to strengthen agricultural infrastructure, enhance food fortification with vitamin A, and improve pest control through aerial operations to ensure food security and economic stability.
