Thursday, July 16, 2026

Agric fund partners relevant agencies on all-year farming to boost productivity

The fund noted that the initiative was to enhance productivity and guarantee food and nutrition security.

• September 24, 2025
Farmers in Africa used to illustrate the story.
Farmers used to illustrate the story.[Credit: Businessday NG]

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) said it is working with relevant agencies to transition Nigeria’s agricultural system from rain-fed farming to all-year round production.

This is to enhance productivity and guarantee food and nutrition security.

Executive secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this in Abuja during an interactive session with journalist on Wednesday.

He said the fund was established to address key challenges facing farmers, with emphasis on increasing productivity, profitability, and resilience.

According to him, rainfall-dependent agriculture remains highly vulnerable to climate change, leading to inconsistent yields, food shortages, and post-harvest losses.

He noted that dry season farming, supported by irrigation and input control, had consistently proven to be more productive and profitable.

He said, “Over the years, dry season farming has shown higher yields because inputs, water, and other variables can be controlled. We have gone further to set up model farms with private partners to demonstrate this transition.

“Beyond that, we are also helping farmers move from peasant methods to more commercial approaches.”

Mr Ibrahim explained that NADF was catalysing finance towards dry season farming while also ensuring that the right seeds, fertiliser, and equipment were available to farmers.

He added that the fund was addressing gaps in water management and utilisation, describing them as critical to sustaining year-round agriculture.

On mechanisation, he said the agency was adopting a holistic approach that cuts across crops, livestock, aquaculture, and fisheries.

“The whole mantra is how do we keep optimising dry season farming? How do we keep providing funding support to ensure production is maximised?

“Having an intensive production model within the livestock sector that is mechanised will help us. Providing mechanisation that would also support sustainable land preparation and tree management is another area we are focusing on.

“We are also targeting mechanisation within the aquaculture and fisheries value chains,” Mr Ibrahim said.

He stressed that addressing mechanisation gaps would not only increase productivity but also reduce drudgery for farmers, attract more youths into agriculture, and strengthen value chains.

He stated that NADF’s interventions were designed to complement the federal government’s broader food security agenda.

He added, “Food and nutrition security is not just about producing more food, but about doing it in a sustainable and commercially viable manner. This is why NADF is focusing on finance, mechanisation, and partnerships to achieve results.”

(NAN)

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

LEGISLATIVE GAVEL

States

Court frees man accused of theft after complainant’s case withdrawal

Mr Tellang said the complainant agreed to withdraw the case after the defendant paid part of the money involved.

Ogun prison

States

Ogun men bag prison sentence for stealing generator

The Abeokuta Magistrate’s Court, Isabo Division, on Thursday, sentenced two men to a year’s imprisonment each for stealing a generator valued at N1.1 million.

Oncology department in a teaching hospital

Health

Kano cancer centre urges early detection of sarcoma

The CEO of Kano Cancer Treatment Centre, Nafisa Abdu, has urged Nigerians to seek prompt medical attention for suspicious lumps, unexplained swelling and prolonged bone pain.

Cops in Kebbi

Africa

Kidnap-for-ransom Togolese arrested in Kwara: Police

Police said the suspects threatened to kidnap the complainant and kill his younger brother, Musa Ismaila, if a N22 million ransom was not paid.

Minister of Works David Umahi

Rights

Police to conduct autopsy on woman who died in Umahi’s residence

The police command in Ebonyi has engaged the services of a pathologist to conduct a post-mortem examination on Mary Habila to determine the cause of her death.

Court room

States

Three Ekiti residents in court over alleged assault, breach of peace

Mr Oriyomi alleged that the defendants engaged in a fight in a public place.