In a groundbreaking collaboration, the Federal Government of Nigeria and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have empowered over 311 Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) over the past four years.
This partnership has significantly enhanced the agricultural productivity of smallholder farmers, impacting over two million across the country.
The initiative, which is part of USAID’s Feed the Future Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services Activity, was celebrated during the National Impact Workshop on Innovative Market-led Extension Service Delivery in Abuja.
Jean-Pierre Rousseau, Director of Winrock International, USAID, emphasized the crucial role of extension services in driving agricultural transformation. He explained that MSMEs are no longer just channels for disseminating information, but have evolved into vital entrepreneurial enterprises that directly support smallholder farmers.
“Today, we have over 311 MSMEs serving as change catalysts, bringing innovation, information, and productivity-enhancing inputs and services to the doorstep of over two million smallholder farmers,” Rousseau noted during his speech.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, represented by Dr. Deola Lordbanjour, Director of Extension Services in the Ministry, reiterated the importance of this collaboration in boosting agricultural productivity. He explained that the initiative has created jobs for youth and women, while also improving market access for farmers and MSMEs.
According to Kyari, “The partnership with USAID has spurred business growth, created jobs, and enhanced access to markets, contributing to the sustainable development of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.”
The USAID initiative spans several states, including Benue, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Kaduna, Kebbi, and Niger, and aims to increase access to improved agricultural technologies for farmers. Dr. Benjamin Odoemena, Chief of the Party for USAID, said MSMEs play a critical role in facilitating the replication and scaling of these agricultural models.
Farmers such as Dorcas Shoja, a beneficiary of the program, have expressed appreciation for the transformative impact. “We are happy now; people come to observe my farms and are joining us to learn about modern agricultural practices,” she said.
This collaboration has set a new standard for agricultural extension services in Nigeria, turning MSMEs into key drivers of innovation and economic growth within the sector.
