The Federal Government said it has granted N250b facility to the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) to support smallholder farmers in Nigeria by providing them access to credit at a single-digit interest rate.
 
The goal according to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, is to boost agricultural productivity, enhance food security, and empower farmers with modern equipment and inputs.
 
Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement in Abuja, he said the facility would specifically support food production, enhance mechanisation and improve livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

While highlighting some of the achievements of the current administration in the agriculture sector, he also disclosed that in the last two years the Federal Government distributed over 1.9 million bags of fertilisers to about 1 million farmers.

He added that in its bid to promote sustainable soil management, about 12,000 litres of organic fertilisers were provided to smallholder farmers.

The minister also disclosed that the Federal Government has partnered Russia, Turkiye, Indian government and Canada to enhance fertiliser production and technology transfer, adding that 109 fertiliser inspectors and another 329 industry stakeholders were trained on regulatory compliance.

He affirmed the Federal Government’s resolve to bridge gaps in agriculture, ensuring essential food items are steadily available, accessible, and affordable, saying their aim is  to boost agricultural productivity, create livelihood opportunities, and drive wealth creation, ultimately accelerating growth in the sector.

“We are focusing on boosting local production and reducing our reliance on imports, with the ultimate goal of making affordable, nutritious food accessible to all Nigerians. Our efforts are starting to pay off, with a notable impact on food prices. In fact, prices of essential food commodities have dropped by 50 per cent nationwide. “
 
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, in his remarks, noted that the gathering reflects the governing philosophy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is rooted in transparency, participation, and accountability, emphasising that governance must not operate in isolation from the people.

In his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the stakeholders meeting, which involved the representatives of the media, civil society organisations, farmers’ groups, professional bodies, agro-processors, development partners, donor agencies, and relevant government institutions, was convened to share ideas, align efforts, and drive meaningful progress in Nigeria’s agricultural and food systems.

Ogunbiyi said agricultural development and food security are not the responsibility of government alone, but a shared national endeavour.