By Faridat Salifu
Nigeria, in partnership with Germany and the European Union, has launched a €18.3 million project aimed at transforming the country’s agricultural sector through climate-smart practices and job creation.
The initiative, known as the EU-VACE TARED Project, was officially unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja.
EU-VACE TARED, which stands for Agriculture Value Chain Facility – Transformative Agricultural Systems for Rural Economic Development, is designed as a four-year programme running from October 2024 to September 2028.
The project targets four critical agricultural value chains — cocoa, dairy, tomatoes and ginger — with the goal of strengthening food security and unlocking opportunities for smallholder farmers.
Implementation will be carried out by the German development agency, GIZ, in collaboration with Nigeria’s Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Seven states — Cross River, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Ondo, Oyo and Plateau — will serve as hubs for the programme.
Officials said the project would promote innovation, reduce post-harvest losses, and provide economic opportunities for youth and women.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, described the EU-funded initiative as a “transformative pathway” to address persistent challenges such as climate shocks, poor access to financing and weak value chain development.
Abdullahi announced the creation of a project steering committee to oversee coordination, transparency and measurable results.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, highlighted the relevance of the programme to Nigeria’s livestock sector, noting that the country spends $1.5 billion annually on dairy imports.
He said developing the local dairy value chain would help cut import dependency, create jobs, improve quality of life and foster social harmony.
Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, said the project is part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and Team Europe initiative to boost sustainable agriculture.
He warned that while Nigeria’s agricultural potential is enormous, persistent challenges such as climate risks, weak financing and infrastructure gaps remain.
Mignot said the project would focus on making agriculture attractive and viable for young Nigerians by fostering inclusive, climate-smart and commercially competitive farming.
He noted that the EU is investing over €87 million in agricultural and climate programmes in Nigeria, with nearly €1.5 billion earmarked under Team Europe’s broader green economy pipeline.
Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy, Johannes Lehne, described the project as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s agricultural future and a continuation of Germany’s long-standing partnership with the country.
Deputy Country Director of GIZ Nigeria and ECOWAS, Oladoyin Olawaiye, said the initiative is about building resilience and creating opportunities for young Nigerians to thrive at home.
The EU-VACE TARED project will support smallholder farmers and micro, small and medium enterprises with innovations, financing and skills development.
It is also expected to strengthen value chains, expand access to international markets, and create decent work opportunities for marginalised groups.
Officials said the initiative is designed to reinforce agriculture as a driver of inclusive growth, food security and climate resilience in Nigeria.
