From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The federal government on Wednesday signed a $158.15 million financing agreement for the Value Chain Programme in Northern Nigeria (VCN), targeting Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara to enhance agricultural value chains and farmers’ incomes.
Co-funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), and Nigeria, the eight-year initiative aims to reduce poverty, improve nutrition, and boost resilience among rural communities.
At the Presidential Villa signing ceremony, Vice President Kashim Shettima said, “This is a declaration of faith in the North—not as a region of deficits, but as a place of abundance.” He emphasised integration with Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), stating, “The VCN programme will feed into the SAPZs, providing a steady pipeline of raw materials and ensuring our processors no longer grope for quality inputs.”
Shettima noted global trade challenges, adding, “The agricultural tariffs and retaliatory postures of global powers like the U.S. and China have rattled commodity chains.”
The programme prioritises women, youth, persons with disabilities, and returnees from conflict areas, using agriculture for rehabilitation and peace. Shettima stated, “In regions where migration and insecurity are fuelled by joblessness, the VCN provides vehicles for enterprise, income, and dignity.” Digital tools will track progress, ensuring transparency from farmer registration to market access. He affirmed, “We are fulfilling President Tinubu’s promise to reduce poverty, restore farmers’ dignity, and ensure food security.”
Former Senate President Ahmed Lawan pledged legislative support, while Agriculture Minister Abubakar Kyari called the signing a milestone in the Renewed Hope Agenda. Governors of Borno, Jigawa, and Katsina urged optimised implementation.
IFAD Country Director Dede Ekoue outlined, “The $158.15 million project will transform agribusiness across the nine states over eight years, targeting about 3.1 million household members.” It will create over 30,000 jobs and build 229 kilometres of roads for market access, focusing on climate-smart agriculture and value addition. A joint roadmap signed with IFAD marked the project’s immediate start.