A coalition of agro-allied commodities and cooperatives in Nigeria has announced a partnership with the World Bank to launch a six-year, $500 million food security program in the country.
The national President General of the agro-allied group, Queen Hajarat Victoria Adeyeye of Ife Kingdom, shared the news in a statement to journalists in Abuja. She highlighted that smallholder farmers will benefit from loan facilities aimed at boosting their food production capabilities nationwide.
Queen Adeyeye praised President Bola Tinubu for approving the Empowerment Scheme for Farmers, which spans all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). She also commended the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Alhaji Abubakar Kyari, and the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture for their swift approval of funds to ensure timely disbursement.
“These interventions are part of the Tinubu-led administration’s efforts to create jobs, combat hunger, and improve food security,” she said. “Thanks to these initiatives by the President, food scarcity and rising prices will soon be alleviated.”
She noted that the Tinubu administration, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has been instrumental in advancing initiatives to enhance food security and agricultural production in Nigeria.
The coalition leaders encouraged registered farmers, producers, processors, packagers, marketers, and other agro-allied groups to visit the nearest Bank of Agriculture branch to open accounts for accessing the funds.
“Our primary focus is on youths, women, and underprivileged individuals interested in farming,” she added. “The initiative aims to boost self-employment through agro-business, promote job creation, ensure food sufficiency, and work towards eradicating poverty in Nigeria.”
