The Federal Government has initiated discussions on mobilizing funding for smallholder farmers through the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance Africa.
In line with the development, Senator Abubakar Kyari said Mastercard has committed $300 million to integrate three million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria into the digital economy.
This initiative is part of the Mobilizing Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance Africa and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for agricultural modernization and economic prosperity.
According to Senator Abubakar Kyari, Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, through his X handle, “The support of President Tinubu has been instrumental in attracting international investments that will empower our farmers and drive sustainable agricultural development.”
The initiative aims to address the financial exclusion faced by smallholder farmers, who currently have limited access to credit and improved seeds.
“One of the biggest challenges facing smallholder farmers today is financial exclusion. Currently, only 6% of African smallholder farmers have access to credit, and less than 20% use improved seeds,” Senator Kyari noted.
He affirmed that President Tinubu’s administration is focused on breaking these barriers and ensuring that farmers have access to the resources they need to thrive.
