By Abbas Nazil
The United Kingdom has pledged £204 million to drive private sector investment in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, aiming to enhance climate resilience, increase productivity, and boost the incomes of smallholder farmers and entrepreneurs.
The funding, facilitated through Propcom+, an eight-year climate-resilient agricultural market development programme by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), is expected to support economic growth, especially in conflict- and climate-affected regions.
According to Mrs. Adiya Ode, the Country Representative for Propcom+, the programme is designed to tackle key challenges in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape, including low productivity, conflicts over natural resources, and the growing impacts of climate change.
By addressing these issues, Propcom+ seeks to transform rural economies, ensuring that smallholders and SMEs can thrive in a sustainable manner.
Propcom+ aims to improve the resilience of small-scale farmers and entrepreneurs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preserving natural ecosystems.
It will facilitate sustainable agricultural practices for over four million people, with at least 50 percent of the beneficiaries being women.
Additionally, the initiative is set to increase the incomes and climate resilience of approximately 3.79 million vulnerable Nigerians.
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Beyond direct financial support, the programme acts as a market facilitator, identifying key constraints in agricultural market systems and enabling systemic changes that promote inclusive growth.
The initiative also aligns with broader environmental, social, and economic goals, fostering sustainable land use and forestry while mitigating the risks posed by climate change.
Already operational in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Bauchi, Plateau, Gombe, and Adamawa, Propcom+ has now extended its reach to Katsina following discussions between the FCDO and Governor Dikko Radda.
Stakeholders, including farmers, business owners, processors, academics, and women’s groups, have expressed strong support for the programme’s implementation in the state.
The initiative will play a crucial role in boosting food security and nutrition while strengthening climate resilience.
It is expected to tackle some of the underlying drivers of conflict and insecurity in rural communities by promoting economic opportunities and sustainable growth.
With £95 million specifically allocated to its implementation, Propcom+ will help reshape Nigeria’s food and land-use systems, ensuring long-term benefits for both people and nature.
As further discussions with government officials continue, the programme is set to unlock new opportunities for Nigeria’s agricultural sector, positioning it for increased investment, innovation, and resilience in the face of environmental and economic challenges.
