U.s. launches $2m partnership programmme to boost agriculture in Nigeria

USAID

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has launched a two-million dollars U.S. Government’s agricultural and private sector partnership to promote agricultural production in Nigeria.


Speaking at the launch, the U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission, Ms Maria Brewer disclosed that the two years` partnership was with two local companies – Babban Gona and Hello Tractor. She quipped that the partnerships was aimed at increasing access to smart tractors, improved seeds, and profitable markets for over 45,000 smallholder farmers across seven states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Brewer buttressed that under the first partnership, Baban Gona would help to address economy of scale problems for smallholder farmers by forming cooperatives called “trust groups.”

“Over the next two years, Babban Gona will help more than 20,000 small holder farmers in five states increase yields and potentially increase their income up to 30 per cent. The success of this partnership will support Hello Tractors sales, while providing 115 young people with an opportunity to build businesses in providing tractor hiring services. Improved access to tractor services will allow 24,500 small holder farmers across three states to boost their productivity and gain higher revenues for their households.”

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, commended USAID for its support for Nigeria at her critical moment.

Ogbeh stressed the need for investment in the agricultural sector which, he said, was key to economic development.

“There is future in agriculture, if you invest in it you are securing your future; if we don’t invest in agriculture there may not be a place to call our nation in future. If we don’t deal with the food challenge, we will never be able to cope with it.”