The federal government has secured a 12 billion Japanese Yen (N123.2 billion) credit facility from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to achieve sustainable and resilient agriculture under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP).

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this during a meeting with JICA’s Economic Development Department, led by the Director General, Mr. Takao Shimokawa, in his office in Abuja.

The minister, who commended JICA for the facility, said the loan would be utilized for three components, including enhancement of rice seed quality, improvement in the delivery of farm inputs, quality extension services, and enhancement of private sector participation in the production of agricultural inputs.

He stated that the rice seed production project, domiciled in the National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State, under the ministry, was strategic in enhancing research and development for breeding high-yield, disease-resistant varieties that can withstand climate variability.

Sen. Kyari noted, “We will do our part under the technical cooperation with NCRI and include the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) to add value to the seed ecosystem.

“While enhancing seed quality is crucial, we recognize that knowledge dissemination is equally important. Our partnership on market-oriented agriculture promotion with JICA on the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) project from 2020 to 2024.”

According to him, the project will cover 14 states in Nigeria, including Nasarawa, Benue, Osun, Ogun, Kogi, FCT, Taraba, Jigawa, Edo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Cross River, Gombe, and Kebbi, to empower smallholder farmers and serve as a bridge between research and practice, ensuring that farmers are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive.

Speaking further, the minister stated that the ministry would leverage technology to enhance extension services, using mobile applications to provide real-time information on weather patterns, market prices, and pest outbreaks to help farmers make informed decisions and adapt to challenges more swiftly.

He said that implementing emergency food security measures, enhancing rice seed quality, and expanding extension services are not just initiatives; rather, they are commitments to the future of our communities and nation.

The minister noted that by working together with JICA, researchers, NGOs, and farmers, “we can create a sustainable and resilient agricultural system that ensures food security for all.”

He, therefore, commended JICA for being a long-term strategic partner, considering the impact of bilateral activities JICA has undertaken in the agricultural space for more than four decades.

In his remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abdullahi Sabi Aliyu, reiterated that JICA has always been supportive and that its contributions will not be taken for granted.

He pointed out that the seed issue was very key because President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has always said, “Plant the right seed, then you can feed the entire nation, so seed is key to our food security problems,” Sen. Abdullahi stressed.

Earlier in his remarks, the Director General of the JICA, Mr. Takao Shimokawa, expressed gratitude for the long-standing collaboration between the ministry and JICA.

He stated that JICA would continue to prioritize the collaboration towards ensuring economic prosperity and food security in Nigeria, noting that JICA is fully aligned with the ministry’s mandate.

In his words, “Today, I take advantage to report the recent progress of JICA assistance in the agricultural sector in three key areas, including food security, announcing that the first disbursement of the loan was paid yesterday,” adding: “Now, we are proceeding to the supervision and monitoring of the fund utilization.”

The Director General emphasized that JICA and Japan are fully committed to rice production in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, which is the largest producer of rice, pointing out that the new grant project would provide the machinery for rice production, the procurement process of which is about to commence.