The Nigerian government, in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development Feed the Future program, has supported 311 micro, small, and medium enterprises in the agricultural sector over the past four years. This effort aims to boost agricultural productivity among smallholder farmers.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced this initiative during the National Agricultural Extension Service Impact-Sharing Workshop in Abuja. The collaboration has led to new business solutions, increased business growth, job creation for youth and women, and improved market access for MSMEs and farmers.
The Minister highlighted the positive impact of the partnership on business solutions, job creation, and market access. He emphasized how this collaboration has enhanced productivity and contributed to the sustainable development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Director of Agricultural Extension at the National Agricultural Extension Service, Dr. Deola Olawuni, emphasized the importance of providing effective extension services to farmers, including youth and women. He noted that the initiative has helped farmers adopt new technologies and improve market access.
The workshop showcased success stories from farmers who have benefited from the initiative. One farmer shared how his income increased significantly after implementing new practices recommended through the program.
The collaboration has also introduced digital tools like the Plantis app to help farmers diagnose crop issues independently. This initiative aims to scale up successful models to benefit a wider community of agricultural stakeholders and promote productivity among smallholder farmers.