AfDB To Use $134 Million To Increase Food Production In Nigeria

The African Development Bank (AfDB) has committed to investing a massive $134 million to boost food production in Nigeria's agricultural sector.

This promise was made public by AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina on Saturday during his visit to the Bayero University in Kano's Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA).

“We will support Nigeria in cultivating 300,000 hectares of rice and maize, 150,000 hectares of cassava, and 50,000 hectares of soybeans during the 2024 planting season,” said Adesina, summarizing the bank's goals.

He highlighted the significance of promoting the cultivation of resilient and tolerant dry land crops and adjusting to climate change.

Speaking about the immediate measures, Adesina declared, “This March, the AfDB is supporting Nigeria to cultivate 118,000 hectares of heat-tolerant varieties of wheat and another 150,000 hectares of maize.”

He emphasized how important it is to give farmers current, pertinent information, particularly in light of the challenges posed by climate change.

Furthermore, by saying, “We will work with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture to enhance its capabilities in weather prediction and data collection, thus empowering farmers to plan effectively,” Adesina emphasized the bank's dedication to promoting technological advancements in agriculture.

The AfDB President also commended the work of Jibrin Mohammed-Jibrin, the Director of CDA, and Sagir Adamu-Abbas, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, in providing farmers with technology access in the face of climate change challenges.

Mohammed-Jibrin responded by emphasizing the CDA's commitment to research and education in development projects, with a special emphasis on dry land agriculture.

The substantial investment made by the AfDB, along with its focus on climate-resilient crops and technology, represents a noteworthy advancement in Nigeria's agricultural productivity. This will ultimately contribute to the region's economic development and food security.