The African Development Bank (AfDB) has pledged a staggering $134 million investment to bolster Nigeria’s agricultural sector, with a focus on enhancing food production.
The President of AfDB, Akinwumi Adesina, made this announcement during his visit to the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano, weekend.
Adesina revealed the bank’s ambitious plans, stating, “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.”
He emphasized the importance of adapting to climate change and promoting the cultivation of dry land crops that are resilient and tolerant.
In addition to the long-term plans, Adesina highlighted immediate initiatives, stating, “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 stressed the significance of providing timely and relevant information to farmers, especially in the face of climate change challenges.
Adesina also underscored the bank’s commitment to fostering technological advancements in agriculture, stating, “We will collaborate with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture to enhance its capabilities in weather prediction and data collection, thus empowering farmers to plan effectively.”
The AfDB President also commended the efforts of Bayero University’s Vice-Chancellor, Sagir Adamu-Abbas, and the Director of CDA, Jibrin Mohammed-Jibrin, in supporting farmers with access to technology amidst climate change adversities.
In response, Mohammed-Jibrin affirmed the CDA’s dedication to research and teaching in development initiatives, particularly focusing on dry land agriculture.
