The Federal Government has earmarked $500 million to strengthen agricultural productivity, expand farmers’ access to finance, and accelerate food security through the Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) programme.
The initiative, anchored by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and supported by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), and the World Bank Group, is designed to drive inclusive growth across Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.
This was disclosed by the PFSCU Manager of Data and Input Assessments, Mr. Eniola Akindele, during a one-day Agroecological Zonal Workshop for Sudan-Savannah states held in Kano on Tuesday. The workshop brought together key stakeholders from Kano, Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kaduna, Katsina, Gombe, and Bauchi states.
Akindele explained that AGROW is structured as a comprehensive value-chain intervention aimed at addressing food insecurity by linking production, processing, marketing, and consumption.
He noted that the programme prioritises access to loans for farmers, job creation, and the stimulation of private-sector investment, in alignment with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security and industrialisation.
According to him, the workshop provided a platform for stakeholders to assess agribusiness challenges peculiar to the Sudan-Savannah zone, revalidate existing initiatives, and ensure that interventions are targeted, practical, and result-oriented.
He added that the Federal Government remains committed to inclusive policymaking and assured farmers that their inputs will continue to shape policies and decisions targeted at improving productivity and strengthening Nigeria’s food systems.
