THE AfDB has announced its support of Nigeria’s farming sector with a massive $134 million funding to boost food output.
The AfDB President, Akinwumi Adesina, revealed this on Saturday during his tour of the CDA at Bayero University, Kano.
Adesina detailed the bank’s agenda, saying, “We will assist Nigeria in growing 300,000 hectares of rice and maize, 150,000 hectares of cassava, and 50,000 hectares of soybeans in the 2024 planting season.”
He highlighted the need to adjust to climate change and encourage the growth of dry land crops that are robust and adaptable.
Pointing out the immediate actions, Adesina declared, “This March, the AfDB is helping Nigeria to plant 118,000 hectares of heat-resistant varieties of wheat and another 150,000 hectares of maize.”
He emphasized the importance of giving timely and pertinent information to farmers, especially in the context of climate change difficulties.
In addition, Adesina stressed the bank’s dedication to advancing technological innovations in agriculture, saying, “We will work with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture to improve its skills in weather forecasting and data gathering, thus enabling farmers to plan efficiently.”
Moreover, the AfDB President commended the efforts of Bayero University’s Vice-Chancellor, Sagir Adamu-Abbas; and the Director of CDA, Jibrin Mohammed-Jibrin, in providing farmers with access to technology amid climate change hardships.
In response, Mohammed-Jibrin affirmed the CDA’s dedication to research and teaching in development initiatives, particularly focusing on dry land agriculture.
The AfDB’s substantial investment coupled with its emphasis on technology and climate-resilient crops signifies a significant step towards enhancing Nigeria’s agricultural productivity, thereby ensuring food security and economic development in the region.
