Food security: FG, IFAD excited as Nasarawa farmer scales up rice production

The Nigerian Federal Government (FG) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) have praised a key participant of the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Nasarawa State for advancing rice cultivation to an industrial level. Okolo Jonathan, a farmer initially supported by the VCDP, has scaled up his operations from one hectare in 2021 to 54 hectares by 2024. This remarkable achievement underscores the potential of strategic agribusiness interventions in enhancing food security across Nigeria.

Nasarawa State’s VCDP Programme Coordinator, Dr. Eunice Adgidzi, highlighted the successful transformation of Jonathan’s rice farm during a supervisory visit in Awe Local Government Area. She emphasized that he had utilized the training and startup support from the VCDP to transition into mechanized rice farming. Initially trained in 2021 on rice seedling production, Jonathan received startup packs to cultivate one hectare but soon expanded his production considerably.

Not only is Jonathan a model farmer, but he has also emerged as a service provider, supplying rice seedlings to VCDP and supporting other farmers. This case demonstrates the FG and IFAD’s VCDP goal of increasing food production and reducing poverty through value chain development and scaling of agribusinesses. The success story is a testament to the effectiveness of capacity building and mechanization in scaling agricultural operations, a vital factor for Nigeria’s food security agenda.

Source- Punch

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders:
The story of Okolo Jonathan highlights the critical role mechanization and entrepreneurial drive play in the scalability of agricultural enterprises. Starting from a modest one-hectare farm, Jonathan’s expansion to 54 hectares within three years is a direct outcome of strategic training and support programs like the FG and IFAD’s VCDP. This exemplifies how value chain development initiatives can bridge the gap between small-scale subsistence farming and large-scale commercial agriculture.

Mechanization, as seen in Jonathan’s use of a combined harvester, is crucial in enhancing efficiency and minimizing post-harvest losses, which are a common bottleneck for farmers. According to Jonathan, the machine reduced post-harvest losses by 80%, a significant improvement in rice cultivation’s economic viability. Such mechanized farming not only boosts output but also contributes to reducing the overall cost of production and enhancing the profitability of the farming business.

For stakeholders, Jonathan’s progression from a beneficiary to a service provider within the value chain highlights an important element: fostering entrepreneurship within agribusiness can spur economic growth and create ripple effects within the sector. The provision of mechanized services, such as harvesting, further facilitates this growth, making advanced technologies accessible to farmers who would otherwise face operational challenges. The collaboration between the private sector (Sasala Agro-Bis) and farmers also represents a sustainable model of growth for the agribusiness sector.

This case also aligns with Nigeria’s broader strategy for achieving food security through private-sector-driven expansion in agriculture. The scalability of individual success stories like Jonathan’s demonstrates that with the right combination of training, mechanization, and market access, Nigeria can make significant strides toward meeting its food security targets.

Key Takeaways for Agribusiness Stakeholders:

Mechanization as a Growth Enabler: Access to combined harvesters and other mechanized farming tools significantly enhances productivity and reduces losses, making large-scale operations feasible.
Value Chain Development: Interventions like VCDP can catalyze the shift from smallholder farming to commercial agriculture by providing training, market linkages, and technical support.
Private Sector Engagement: Collaborations between private businesses and farmers (e.g., Sasala Agro-Bis) are essential in providing accessible mechanized services that promote growth and sustainability.
Entrepreneurship in Agribusiness: Encouraging farmers to become service providers within the value chain fosters economic resilience and long-term agricultural development.

This success in Nasarawa State serves as a blueprint for scaling similar programs across Nigeria, potentially positioning the country as a leading rice producer in Africa.