Highlight

USAID Successfully Concludes Activity Supporting the Agricultural Inputs System in Nigeria

394

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) marked the successful conclusion of the three year, $3 million Feed the Future Nigeria Agro-Inputs Activity. The activity built the capacity of agro-inputs dealers to provide extension advisory services to farmers and to compensate for a shortfall of public extension agents in the Federal Capital Territory and seven target states. Interventions focused on the maize, sorghum, rice, and cassava value chains.

The Agro-Inputs Activity: a) strengthened the capacity of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) to better regulate the agro-inputs sector; b) improved the entrepreneurial capacity of agro-dealers to extend their networks to rural areas; c) increased smallholder farmers’ demands for high-quality inputs, technologies, and good agricultural practices; and d) empowered women and youth farmers to access inputs and new technologies.

Stephen M. Haykin, the USAID Nigeria Mission Director, explained, the Feed the Future Nigeria Agro-Inputs Activity “has strengthened the private sector-led agricultural inputs market, which has enabled farmers to access quality inputs and increase their agricultural productivity. We are heartened to see that the strong actions of Government of Nigeria and other stakeholders have fortified these gains, and we are confident that we will continue to see progress.”

The Agro-Inputs Activity built the capacity of approximately 1,400 agro-inputs dealers and 4,000 smallholder farmers, and demonstrated the productivity-enhancing technologies of Urea Deep Placement and soil and crop specific fertilizer blends. Additionally, the activity worked with microfinance institutions to improve access to credit, easing the burden normally faced by farmers during the planting season. Through this partnership, 60 percent of beneficiary farmers and agro-inputs dealers were able to access finance to grow their businesses.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

FG Designates Minna Airport As Abuja Airport’s Alternate

As a strategic move, the Federal Government has named the Bola Ahmed...

Meteorological services grinds to a halt as NiMet workers begin indefinite strike

Workers at the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) initiated an indefinite nationwide strike...

Develop Abandoned Property in 2 Years or Face Consequences, FCTA Warns Landowners

Landowners in the nation’s capital have two years to develop the land...

Benue Killings: Gov. Alia Demands FG’s Swift Response, Rejects Emergency Rule

As Benue State it grapples with increasing violence and fatalities, Gov. Hyacinth...

RMD Under Fire for Steamy Birthday Post with Omoni Oboli

Veteran Nollywood actor Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, has found himself...

Tinubu Government Inherited ‘Parlous’ Security, Says NSA

Despite inheriting an “extremely poor security situation,” President Bola Tinubu’s administration says...

Oil Bid Round 2024: NUPRC Dismisses Fabricated Blackmail Allegations of Underhand Dealings

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has firmly dismissed any corruption...

NBA Demands State Police to End “Killing Fields” Nationwide

Amidst the ongoing tragic attacks on innocent civilians in Plateau State, the...

Hangman’s Noose Awaits 22-Year-Old in Double Murder Case, Strangling, Stabbing Stepmother, Sister

Convicted of fatally stabbing his stepmother, Rabiatu Sagir, in the neck with...

Nigerian Army’s First Female Director of Army Public Relations Assumes Duty

Lt.-Col. Onyinyechi Appolonia Anele, who was appointed the first female Director of...

Just in: ECOWAS Convenes in Ghana to Address Exit of Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states will meet...

Coup Foiled in Burkina Faso, Military Junta Points to Exiled Officers in Ivory Coast

Burkina Faso’s military government says it has thwarted a “major coup plot”...

Just in: Vatican shares images of Pope Francis’ lying in state

By Daniel Okejeme with additional agency report The Vatican on Tuesday released...

Nigeria’s Mining Sector Sees N6.95bln Revenue Boost in Q1 2025

The Federal Government says it has generated an impressive N6.95 billion from...

April 26 Set for Pope Francis’ Internment Ceremony

The funeral of Pope Francis will be held on Saturday, April 26,...

Ogun Agro-Cargo Airport Begins Commercial Flight Validation

In a move signaling progress towards the commencement of commercial aviation activities,...

FCT Police clarify report on officer found with AK-47 rifle, 30 rounds of live ammunition at Nyanya Park

The Federal Capital Territory(FCT) Police Command has debunked a viral report alleging...

Exclusive: The Dark Side of Ghana Sports: Nation’s Administrators Under Fire

Ghana’s sports landscape is marked by a significant imbalance, with a ministry...

Breaking: Olatunji Bolaji, 77-Year-Old Nigerian Uber Driver, Shot Dead in US

A 77-year-old Nigerian Uber driver, Olatunji W. Bolaji, has been reportedly killed...

Exclusive: Building shops on Karu market’s entrance road: Greed or sheer disregard for safety?

Months after a devastating fire ravaged Karu market in the Federal Capital...