Hussaini Kafi in Kano
The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, on Thursday reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to agricultural transformation through a $158 million agreement signed for the implementation of a comprehensive agricultural value chain development programme.
The multi-million-dollar initiative is co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Federal Government of Nigeria. It is aimed at boosting agricultural productivity, promoting food security, and enhancing economic resilience across ten Northern Nigerian states.
Speaking at the signing ceremony held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Auwal Jatau, represented the state government. He described the agreement as a pivotal step in unlocking the state’s agricultural and economic potential.
According to a statement issued by the Governor’s Special Assistant on Media, Muslim Lawal, the value chain programme will be executed in Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi states.
Jatau hailed the project as a transformative effort aligned with the administration’s vision of leveraging agriculture to drive industrial growth and development.
“The Value Chain Programme is a strategic partnership that aligns with the vision of Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration of harnessing Bauchi State’s vast agricultural potential to drive industrial growth, create employment opportunities, and enhance the livelihoods of the citizens,” he said.
He further stated that the deal represents a major milestone in the state’s pursuit of sustainable development, food security, and economic empowerment.
“This momentous occasion marks a significant stride in our collective journey towards achieving sustainable development, food security, and economic empowerment for our people,” he said.
The deputy governor highlighted that under Governor Mohammed’s leadership, Bauchi State has crafted a comprehensive agricultural development blueprint designed to unlock its land and agribusiness assets to stimulate economic growth. As part of this initiative, Bauchi has secured certification as a food export processing zone, positioning the state as a major contender in both regional and international agricultural markets.
“This underscores our commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity and positioning ourselves as a key player in the regional and global agricultural markets,” Jatau added.
He also emphasized the administration’s commitment to broader economic reforms by confirming Bauchi’s participation in the World Bank-supported State Action on Business Enabling Reforms (SABER) – a performance-for-results programme aimed at improving the ease of doing business across states.
The value chain development programme is expected to focus on areas such as improving rural infrastructure, providing support for smallholder farmers, increasing access to markets, and encouraging agribusiness development across the targeted states.
With agriculture remaining a key economic sector in Nigeria—particularly in the northern region—the Bauchi State Government believes this intervention will not only stimulate economic growth but also reduce unemployment and poverty in the region. The programme will benefit thousands of farmers and agribusiness operators, particularly women and youth, as part of the inclusive development agenda of the current administration.
Governor Bala Mohammed has in recent years prioritized agriculture as a cornerstone of his administration’s development agenda, citing its potential to transform the state’s economic fortunes and reduce dependency on federal allocations.
As the implementation phase of the programme kicks off, stakeholders and development partners are optimistic that the value chain initiative will serve as a model for replicable agricultural reforms across Nigeria.
