Barau allocates N2.79 billion to boost agriculture in northwest

In a strategic effort to rejuvenate agriculture in Northwestern Nigeria, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau has introduced a ₦279 billion loan initiative aimed at empowering 558 young farmers across the seven states in the region.

The Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the Northwest (BIARN) will provide interest-free ₦5 million loans to selected beneficiaries, with three young farmers chosen from each of the 186 local government areas spanning Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

Announcing the initiative through his Special Adviser on Policy and Monitoring, Professor Bashir Fagge, Senator Barau highlighted the urgent need to restore the region’s historical agricultural dominance. Once known as Nigeria’s food basket, the Northwest has faced declining productivity, necessitating strategic interventions like BIARN.

With funding channeled through a national financial institution in partnership with the Barau I Jibrin Foundation (BIJF), the loan scheme is set to commence in April 2025, ahead of the planting season. It will focus primarily on maize and rice production, aligning with national food security priorities.

By injecting capital into youth-led agribusiness ventures, BIARN aims to increase productivity, reduce food costs, and enhance regional and national food security. The program also seeks to create a sustainable agricultural economy that attracts and retains young farmers in the sector.
Source- BusinessDay

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The BIARN initiative presents a timely intervention in addressing key agricultural challenges in Northwestern Nigeria, but its impact will depend on execution, sustainability, and complementary support structures.

1. Targeting Young Farmers
   Empowering young farmers is crucial for long-term agricultural transformation. However, 558 beneficiaries for an entire geopolitical zone may not be sufficient to drive widespread change. To maximize impact, policymakers should consider expanding the program through additional funding or partnerships with agribusiness investors.
2. Focus on Maize and Rice
   While maize and rice are staple crops contributing to national food security, a diversified approach incorporating cash crops, legumes, and climate-resilient crops could enhance profitability and soil health. Future phases of BIARN should integrate agronomic diversity for a more balanced agricultural economy.
3. Interest-Free Loans
   Providing ₦5 million interest-free loans is commendable, but without robust monitoring, training, and extension services, many young farmers may struggle with repayment and optimal resource allocation. Establishing business mentorship, financial literacy programs, and market access strategies will be critical to ensuring loan beneficiaries succeed.
4. Infrastructure and Value Chain Support
   The success of BIARN will depend on post-harvest handling, logistics, and market linkages. Without storage, processing, and transport solutions, increased production could lead to wastage and price fluctuations. A structured agribusiness support framework will ensure that farmers not only produce but also profit from their efforts.

   BIARN is a commendable initiative with the potential to enhance youth participation in agriculture while addressing regional food security. However, for long-term success, stakeholders including financial institutions, agribusiness investors, and policymakers must collaborate to scale the initiative, integrate modern agritech solutions, and strengthen agricultural value chains.