Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, has launched a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revitalising Nigeria’s agricultural sector and addressing food insecurity.

The new programme, named the Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the North West (BIARN), is designed to transform 558 young farmers into millionaires across the Northwest geopolitical zone.

The initiative will provide financial support, modern farming techniques, and strategic partnerships to empower young farmers in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara states. A total of three beneficiaries will be selected from each of the 186 local government areas within the seven states.

Each selected farmer will receive ₦5 million in interest-free funding, amounting to ₦2.79 billion in total disbursements. The program is being led by the Barau I. Jibrin Foundation (BIJF) in collaboration with a major national financial institution.

At a press conference held on Thursday at the National Assembly, Senator Barau pointed out the historical significance of the North West region in Nigeria’s agricultural economy.

He reflected on how the region once served as the food basket of the country, feeding the nation and even exporting to neighboring countries.

“Decades ago, the North West was the food basket of Nigeria, feeding the nation and even exporting to neighboring countries. Today, that story has changed, but we are committed to rewriting it,” Barau stated, speaking through his Special Adviser on Policy and Monitoring, Professor Bashir Muhammad Fagge.

The initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises food security as a key pillar of national development. Senator Barau stressed the importance of food security in achieving national stability and progress.

The BIARN programme aims not only to boost agricultural production but also to foster a new generation of agripreneurs—young farmers who will drive innovation within the agricultural sector. The selected farmers will primarily focus on cultivating maize and rice, two staple crops critical to Nigeria’s food economy.

By providing capital and technical support, the program aims to reduce food costs, increase local production, and strengthen food security across the region. In 2023, Nigeria produced 8.9 million metric tons of paddy rice, the highest output in over a decade. However, despite this achievement, the country’s rapidly growing population still faces a shortage of rice. Senator Barau’s initiative seeks to bridge this gap by tapping into the North West’s vast arable land and youthful population.

The programme will distribute opportunities across the region, with the following beneficiary allocation: Kano – 132, Katsina – 102, Jigawa – 81, Kaduna – 69, Sokoto – 69, Kebbi – 63, and Zamfara – 42.

Each selected farmer will receive guidance through every stage of farming—from land preparation and planting to harvesting and marketing. The goal is to help small-scale farmers transition into successful agribusiness owners.

Senator Barau also revealed that the Barau I. Jibrin Foundation is finalising an agreement with a national financial institution to facilitate the program’s rollout. An MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) is expected to be signed next week, with plans for the program’s official launch in April 2025, ahead of the new farming season.

The Implementation Committee, led by Professor Bashir Muhammad Fagge, along with Alhaji Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, has been pivotal in structuring the program and ensuring its successful deployment.

At the conclusion of the press conference, Senator Barau called on stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector partners, and the media, to support the initiative. He emphasized that agricultural development is key to solving many of Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges.

“If we achieve food security, we solve more than half of our nation’s problems. This initiative isn’t just about farming; it’s about creating jobs, reducing poverty, and ensuring our people have access to affordable food,” Barau concluded.

The BIARN programme is poised to become a model for agricultural transformation in Nigeria, showing that with the right support, young farmers can lead the charge in securing the nation’s food future.