The Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative (AANI) has urged the federal and state Governments to supply reasonably priced credit score and strengthen safety for farmers to enhance meals manufacturing.
The group made the decision in an announcement by it President, Ephraim Audu, President on Friday in Abuja.
According to the Audu, the assertion was to commemorate the 2026 World Food Day, noticed yearly on Oct. 16.
He additionally known as for decrease agricultural manufacturing prices, improved entry to farm inputs, tax aid and elevated funding in agricultural innovation.
“Persistent food insecurity, rising production costs and other challenges confronting farmers require urgent and coordinated interventions,” he stated.
He urged governments to make sure that agricultural subsidies and interventions reached real smallholder farmers, significantly these in rural communities.
He additionally known as for reasonably priced, single-digit curiosity loans, accessible agricultural insurance coverage and the elimination of prohibitive collateral necessities to enhance farmers’ entry to financing.
“There is need for stronger protection of farmers, farmlands and agricultural supply routes to ensure uninterrupted food production.
“Investment in irrigation, extension services, climate-resilient farming, storage, processing, transportation and market access are also crucial to reducing post-harvest losses and excessive import dependence,” he stated.
Audu additionally advocated tax incentives for smallholder farmers and eligible agricultural enterprises, with elevated alternatives for girls and younger individuals.
He known as for expanded use of solar-powered irrigation, renewable-energy chilly storage, mechanisation and digital agricultural companies, alongside clear implementation of agricultural programmes.
He stated that AANI’s dedication to smallholder farmers was mirrored within the #OutgrowHungerProject, inaugurated in 2020, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
“The project has supported approximately 10,000 smallholder farmers through agricultural inputs, development financing and capacity building,” he stated.
He urged the personal sector, improvement companions, monetary establishments and different stakeholders to extend funding in smallholder agriculture via strategic partnerships, revolutionary financing and know-how switch.
He stated that sustained funding in farmers was important to strengthening meals safety, selling financial progress and bettering rural livelihoods.(NAN)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
