The Federal Government has allocated the sum of N 132 billion in the 2025 budget to enhance the productivity of smallholder farmers.
The funds will be used to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector by providing improved seeds, fertilisers, modern farming tools, mechanised equipment, storage facilities, and irrigation systems.
The funds will also be made available to farmers in the form of grants, subsidies, and credit through microfinance banks and cooperative societies.
This initiative, part of the 2025 Appropriation Bill, aligns with the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), which was established in October 2022 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The NADF is designed to channel critical financial resources into crop production, livestock, fisheries, poultry, and agroforestry, with the goal of ensuring food security and sustainable agricultural growth.
An expert praised the initiative, saying that it represents a bold step towards revitalising the sector by addressing key barriers, including limited access to credit, poor infrastructure, and climate-related challenges.
An agricultural consultant, Engineer Charles Okoro said the federal government should go beyond budgeting to proper implementation.
Engineer Okoro also advised the government to ensure that genuine farmers benefit from the grants.
He criticised previous initiatives of the government, which he said were hijacked by politicians for their cronies and family members.
He expressed optimism that with this initiative, smallholder farmers, which comprises over 80 percent of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce, will boost their yields, modernise their farming practices, and improve their agricultural value chain.