The African Development Bank (AfDB) says it is committed to investing a massive $134 million to boost food production in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The AFDB President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, disclosed this during a visit to the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano, at the weekend.
Outlining the bank’s plans, Adesina said: “We will support Nigeria in cultivating 300,000 hectares of rice and maize, 150,000 hectares of cassava, and 50,000 hectares of soybeans during the 2024 planting season.”
He stressed the importance of adapting to climate change and promoting the cultivation of dry-land crops that are resilient and tolerant.
On the immediate initiatives, Adesina said: “This March, the AfDB is supporting Nigeria to cultivate 118,000 hectares of heat-tolerant varieties of wheat and another 150,000 hectares of maize.
In light of the challenges posed by climate change, he emphasized giving farmers timely and pertinent information.
He also underscored the bank’s commitment to fostering technological advancements in agriculture, adding, “We will collaborate with the Centre for Dryland Agriculture to enhance its capabilities in weather prediction and data collection, thus empowering farmers to plan effectively.”
Furthermore, the AfDB President lauded the efforts of Bayero University’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sagir Adamu-Abbas, and the Director of CDA, Jibrin Mohammed-Jibrin, in supporting farmers with access to technology amidst climate change adversities.
In his response, Mohammed-Jibrin affirmed the CDA’s dedication to research and teaching in development initiatives, particularly with a focus on dry-land agriculture.
Persecondnews reports that Nigeria’s agricultural productivity is expected to rise significantly as a result of the AfDB’s large investment and focus on climate-resilient crops and technology, as this would guarantee food security and promote economic growth in the area.
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