USAID reaches 2m farmers with $16.8m investment in Nigeria’s agriculture

The USAID-funded “Feed the Future” project, in partnership with PIND, has successfully reached over two million smallholder farmers across Nigeria with essential agricultural inputs and services. Launched as a $16.8 million, five-year initiative, the project focuses on improving access to agricultural technologies for small-scale farmers, boosting their productivity and incomes. Targeting states like Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Niger, the project is centered on five key food value chains: maize, rice, cowpea, soybean, and aquaculture.

By collaborating with 311 micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), the project has facilitated the adoption of 39 impactful agricultural practices. This approach has proven transformative, increasing the productivity and incomes of farmers by 100%. Additionally, 70% of the practices are climate-smart, helping farmers adapt to the challenges of climate change. The project also created over 1,000 jobs, mostly for young people, through MSMEs supporting agricultural inputs and extension services.

The project’s success has been widely acknowledged, with key stakeholders calling for national-scale implementation. Jean Pierre-Rousseau, the project director, highlighted the catalytic role of private-sector-led extension services and the critical need for collaboration between various stakeholders to expand these models across Nigeria.
Source: BusinessDay

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders:
The Feed the Future project led by USAID offers a groundbreaking model for transforming agricultural extension services in Nigeria. With over 2 million smallholder farmers now benefiting from improved agricultural inputs and services, this initiative underscores the crucial role of private-sector participation in the agricultural value chain.

The adoption of 39 impactful practices, including 70% being climate-smart solutions, shows a strategic alignment with Nigeria’s pressing need to build resilience in its agriculture sector. Smallholder farmers, who often face significant barriers to accessing modern inputs and knowledge, are now better equipped to boost productivity and income. This impact is not only vital for their livelihoods but also essential for national food security, particularly in key crops like maize, rice, and soybean.

Private-sector engagement through MSMEs has been a game changer, demonstrating how business-driven solutions can unlock potential at the grassroots level. These MSMEs are not only creating jobs but also catalyzing change by commercializing modern agricultural practices. As such, the partnership between USAID and Nigerian MSMEs has redefined the landscape of agricultural extension services, moving away from the traditionally underfunded and siloed government-driven models to a more sustainable and scalable approach.

For agri-food stakeholders, the success of this initiative is a call to action. Scaling such private-public partnerships across Nigeria would mean a significant leap toward food security and self-sufficiency. The fact that MSMEs are central to this model also means that smallholder farmers are increasingly integrated into the broader agribusiness ecosystem, accessing financing and markets that were previously out of reach.

As Nigeria seeks to address the challenges of food insecurity, collaboration is key. This program’s success showcases how government, private sector, and donor agencies can join forces to meet the country’s agricultural development goals. With the expansion of this model, Nigeria could enhance productivity across multiple value chains and ensure sustainable food systems, ultimately contributing to its goal of zero hunger and economic growth.