A development-focused organisation, Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA), has unveiled plans to support 12,500 smallholder farmers with access to finance and create 8,000 decent jobs across the North under a new agricultural intervention programme.

The initiative, known as the Resilient and Inclusive Agri-Food Systems Empowering Women and Youth in Nigeria (RISE) project, was officially launched in Abuja last weekend.

The RISE Country Project Manager and MEDA West and Central Africa Communication, Maxwell Olitsa and Elodie Yahaud, respectively, told journalists that the five-year project is funded by Global Affairs Canada and would be implemented in Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano states.

Under the programme, MEDA and its partners aimed to strengthen agri-food systems while improving productivity and incomes along the rice, maize, groundnut and soybean value chains.

Beyond direct farmer support, the project would also strengthen 450 women and youth-led agribusinesses and empower 250 farmer cooperatives, with an estimated 50,000 people expected to benefit indirectly.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, said initiatives such as RISE are aligned with the Federal Government’s drive to enhance food security, expand economic opportunities and promote inclusive growth in the agricultural sector.

Also, MEDA’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Diaka Sall, said the project was designed to move beyond short-term interventions by addressing long-standing barriers faced by smallholder farmers, women and youth.

She said: “The RISE project will strengthen agri-food systems in Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano states, improve resilience to climate and economic shocks and expand opportunities for smallholder farmers, cooperatives and agribusinesses.

“Women and youth will not only benefit from this project; they will lead and drive the transformation.” Canada’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio, who represented Global Affairs Canada at the event, said the project reflected Canada’s long-standing commitment to Nigeria’s agricultural development.

“Agriculture is a powerful engine for economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction. By empowering women and youth across Nigeria’s agri-food systems, we are helping to strengthen local economies and build more resilient food systems,” he said.

The launch ceremony was attended by commissioners responsible for agriculture, women affairs, social development, budgeting and planning from Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano states, alongside representatives of financial institutions, women associations, cooperatives and development partners.

Panel discussions held during the event examined challenges within Nigeria’s agri-food value chains, particularly access to finance, climate risks and market linkages.

Dr Aishatu Bakari Usman, who represented women farmers, highlighted the importance of inclusive policies and financial services that address gender-specific barriers.

According to MEDA, RISE would adopt a three-pronged strategy to increase yields and incomes through climate-smart agricultural practices, improve the competitiveness of women- and youth-led enterprises through access to finance and markets, and promote leadership roles for women and youth by addressing harmful social norms.

Project implementation is expected to commence in 2026, beginning with the establishment of farmer field schools, strengthening cooperative governance structures, deployment of climate-smart technologies, and creation of market linkages for women- and youth-owned businesses.