The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the European Union (EU) and the Government of Germany, has launched the €18.3 million EU-VACE TARED Project, a four-year initiative designed to modernise Nigeria’s agricultural sector through climate-smart practices, job creation, and inclusive value chain development.
The project which was formally titled Agriculture Value Chain Facility – Transformative Agricultural Systems for Rural Economic Development is set to run from October 2024 to September 2028.
The project implementation which targets four critical value chains: cocoa, dairy, tomatoes, and ginger would be led by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, in collaboration with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Seven states, including; Cross River, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Ondo, Oyo, and Plateau have been selected as implementation hubs, with the goal of improving food security, stimulating innovation, and expanding opportunities for women and youth.
Speaking during the launch on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, said that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This initiative is a transformative pathway to tackle post-harvest losses, climate shocks, and limited access to finance.
“It will boost coordination, promote value addition, and build systems that protect farmers and consumers,” he said.
To ensure accountability, Abdullahi announced the formation of a steering committee that will provide oversight and drive measurable results.
Also speaking, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, underscored the need to strengthen Nigeria’s dairy value chain.
He noted that the country spends $1.5 billion annually on dairy imports, adding that the project will help create local industries, jobs, and reduce dependence on imports.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, highlighted the project as part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and broader Team Europe pipeline, which includes nearly €1.5 billion in green economy initiatives.
“Our goal is to foster inclusive, climate-smart, and commercially viable agriculture that creates decent jobs for youth and women while nurturing the next generation of agripreneurs,” he said.
Germany’s Deputy Head of Mission, Johannes Lehne, described the initiative as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s agricultural future, while Oladoyin Olawaiye, Deputy Country Director of GIZ Nigeria, stressed its broader social impact in empowering communities and building resilience.
The project is expected to support smallholder farmers and MSMEs with access to finance, skills, and international markets, while promoting climate-smart agriculture and creating sustainable livelihoods across Nigeria.
