NADF, Niger govt sign N5bn agric financing partnership to boost food production

In a significant move to advance food security in Nigeria, the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the Niger State Government have inked a landmark co-financing agreement valued at N5 billion. The agreement aims to enhance food production through a large-scale mixed cropping initiative for the cultivation of rice and maize on 4,000 hectares of land. The project will benefit 4,000 smallholder farmers across three local government areas of Niger State.

The partnership sees each party contributing N2.5 billion to the initiative, with NADF playing a key technical advisory and monitoring role. Niger Foods Company will also be involved by providing off-take and market access for the produce. The project is expected to produce over 20,000 tonnes of food, directly impacting at least 40,000 lives, while also creating significant employment opportunities.

Governor Umar Mohammed Bago emphasized the importance of leveraging Niger State’s abundant natural resources—such as water bodies, arable land, and favorable climate conditions—to achieve food sovereignty. This collaboration is aligned with the President’s Food Security Initiative, aimed at ensuring that Nigeria becomes self-sufficient in food production. The initiative is also seen as a bold step towards fostering economic growth, job creation, and improving livelihoods.

The NADF Executive Secretary, Muhammed Abu Ibrahim, called the agreement historic, marking the first major agricultural financing collaboration between the fund and Niger State. The agreement highlights the shared commitment of both parties to improving food security and supporting smallholder farmers under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
Source: Vanguard

Expert Review & Recommendations for Agri-Food Stakeholders
This agreement between the NADF and Niger State Government represents a key development in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The targeted investment of N5 billion into a mixed cropping initiative not only demonstrates a commitment to scaling food production but also aligns with national food security goals.

For agribusiness stakeholders, this initiative offers valuable lessons in public-private collaboration. The involvement of NADF’s technical expertise and Niger Foods’ market access capabilities provides a model for integrating financing, production, and market linkages. The scale of the project—covering 4,000 hectares and benefiting 4,000 smallholder farmers—indicates the potential for substantial impact in rural communities, creating jobs and improving livelihoods.

Recommendations

1. Monitor & Scale: This project should be closely monitored for its impact on smallholder farmers, and successful strategies should be scaled to other states with similar agricultural potential.
2. Focus on Capacity Building: Beyond financial investment, there should be an emphasis on training smallholder farmers in best practices for large-scale production, including modern farming techniques, climate resilience, and post-harvest management.
3. Market Linkages: Ensuring that smallholder farmers have guaranteed access to markets and off-take agreements will be crucial for the success of the project. This partnership with Niger Foods must be replicated in other regions to ensure market-driven agricultural growth.
4. Sustainability: It is essential that the project integrates sustainable agricultural practices to protect Niger State’s natural resources and ensure long-term food security.