U.S / Nigeria partnership in Agriculture

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) today
launched a two-million dollars ($2,000,000) agricultural partnership with Nigera.

As Nigeria is set to divert a worthwhile attention to the agricultural sector of the economy, this move by The U.S.  Government will no doubt promote the development of the nation's agriculture sector.

Speaking at the launch held at the Embassy in Abuja, U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission,  Maria E. Brewer, said that the two years partnership was with two local companies including Babban Gona and Hello Tractor.

The partnership, will increasing access to smart tractors, improved seeds, and profitable markets for over 45,000 smallholder farmers across seven states and the Federal Capital Territory.

Brewer explained that under the first partnership, Babban Gona helps to address economy of scale problems for smallholder farmers by forming cooperatives called ‘trust groups’.

“Over the next two years, Babban Gona will help more than 20,000 small holder farmers in five states increase yield and potentially increase their income up to 30 per cent.

“The success of this partnership will support Hello Tractors sales, while providing 115 young people with an opportunity to build businesses in providing tractor hiring services.

“Improved access to tractor services will allow 24,500 small holder farmers across three states to boost their productivity and gain higher revenues for their households,” she said.

According to her with these partnerships, the U.S. government’s Feed the Future Partnering for Innovation programme will provide training, financing, and mentoring opportunities to experienced entrepreneurs and young agricultural entrepreneurs alike.

The Minister of Agriculture Chief Audu Ogbe at the launch commended USAID for its support for Nigeria at its critical moment.

“There is future in agriculture, if you invest in it you are securing your future, if we don’t invest in agriculture there may not be a place to call our nation in future.

“If we don’t deal with the food challenge, we will never be able to cope with the food challenge,” he said.

The USAID Mission Director in Nigeria, Mr Michael Harvey said that under the Feed the Future initiative USAID partners with private sector to support smallholder farmers in Nigeria.

According to him through these partnerships USAID addresses development and business challenges by increasing access to improved agricultural inputs and mechanisation, better quality technical advisory services, and expanding market opportunities for smallholder farmers.

These partnerships capitalises on the untapped potential of youth in agriculture and helped build capacity of young entrepreneurs to help grow their businesses, create jobs and boost economic growth in Nigeria,” he said.