By Abdullahi Lukman
The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has urged governments and key stakeholders I’m Nigeria to intensify investment in water-related infrastructure to enhance the country’s agricultural productivity, resilience and climate adaptation.
The call was made by the IFAD Country Director, Mrs Dede Ekoue, at the Federal Government/IFAD Second Annual Review of the Country Strategic Opportunities Programme (COSOP) 2024–2029, held in Abuja.
Ekoue said inadequate water infrastructure remained a major constraint to achieving the goals of COSOP, which was adopted in 2024 to improve food and nutrition security and address the root causes of fragility in the country.
She noted that the programme also seeks to promote inclusive and resilient growth in Nigeria’s rural economy through a market-driven transformation of the agrifood system.
The IFAD official observed that Nigeria’s agrifood sector is challenged by low productivity among smallholder farmers, weak integration into value chains, food insecurity and malnutrition.
She added that persistent rural poverty, high dependence on food imports, conflict, climate change and environmental degradation further compound the sector’s challenges.
Ekoue said the annual review provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess progress made so far and determine necessary adjustments to meet the 2029 targets.
The country director explained that COSOP was developed through extensive consultations led by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Finance and development partners.
She noted that the programme had recorded strong progress, particularly in supporting rural producers’ organisations, which has enhanced collective action and market participation.
The review, Ekoue said, would also help identify ways to strengthen these achievements by 2026.
She commended the Federal Government for its efforts to modernise the agrifood sector through digitalisation, including progress toward establishing the National Digital Farmer Registry, describing the initiative as vital for inclusive service delivery and transparency.
