Deutsche Gesellschaft fur International Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), a German based international organization has invested N9 billion to support agricultural transformation in Northwest region.

Over 30,000 farmers have accessed finance under the project, 87% live in Kano,Kaduna and Kebbi.

CBN,BOA,NAIC JAIZ ,FCMB, WEMA, Access banks IITA,RIFAN,FAO and many microfinance banks and state governments were implementing partners.

Andrea Ruediger, Cluster Coordinator, Transformation of Agric-food system stated this in Kano during closing out of Global Project: Promotion of Agricultural Finance for Agric-based Enterprises in rural areas.

Ruediger explained that program designed to link finance institutions with agric- businesses through demand driven advisory and facilitating improved access to suitable financial services.

The project was initiated by the German government to address Nigeria’s agric-food system which has been at crossroads with rising population growth, climate change and land degradation,market inefficiencies and limited access to finance.

Rudiger said the Ag-Fin project is closing after 8 years of implementation in the 3 Northern states of Kano,Kaduna and Kebbi noting that farmers have repaid all the loans given to them and can therefore continue with their business to improve livelihoods.

She added that GIZ is glad with the success of the project, especially the development of financial products by 11 financial institutions to support value chains in Rice,Maize and Irish potato production.

” The input credit for the project, with its budget of 8 million Euros, has facilitated 42 million Euros in finance-that is 9 billion naira in finance- disbursed over the course of the project.These are all commercial credits.It is important to know that there was no preferential or concessionary finance.No grants were given.It is purely through good business model analysis, trainings and financial products development,” she said.

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security represented by Dr Aliyu Ochonomo said the ministry has been in partnership with GIZ since 1974 supporting small scale farmers without whom no nation can exist.

He said the government will continue to partner for the realisation of food security as captured in the Renewed Hope agenda for agriculture to continue to thrive in Nigeria.

Kano state commissioner for Livestock development represented by Dr Abubakar Sani Inuwa said the state has benefited from the project advising the beneficiaries to continue to utilise the knowledge for generations yet unborn.

Dr.Jamilu Abdullahi, an assistant director at Nigerian Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services, Ahmsdu Bello Univrrsity Zaria, said over 5000 farmers were trained and 22 financial products developed to improve access to finance.

He said though the project is closing,it should not be a farewell but a continuation of unlocking financial and agric- businesses to transform the lives of Nigerians.