The Federal Government of Nigeria has secured a ¥12 billion (₦123.2 billion) credit facility from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to support sustainable and resilient agriculture under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP).
Key Focus Areas of the Loan
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, announced the deal during a meeting with JICA’s Economic Development Department, led by Director General Takao Shimokawa, in Abuja.
The loan will be used for three critical areas:
- Enhancing rice seed quality through research and breeding disease-resistant, high-yield varieties.
- Improving farm input delivery and quality extension services to empower smallholder farmers.
- Encouraging private sector participation in the production of agricultural inputs.
The National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, Niger State, will lead the rice seed production project, working alongside the National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC).
Expanding Agricultural Reach
The JICA-funded initiative will be implemented across 14 states: Nasarawa, Benue, Osun. Ogun, Kogi, FCT, Taraba, Jigawa, Edo, Anambra, Ebonyi, Cross River, Gombe, Kebbi
This project aims to bridge the gap between research and practice, equipping farmers with modern agricultural knowledge and skills.
Technology and Innovation in Agriculture
The Nigerian government will leverage technology to improve extension services, including:
- Mobile applications to provide real-time updates on weather, market prices, and pest outbreaks.
- Technical training for farmers under the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) project (2020–2024).
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Commitment to Food Security
Senator Kyari emphasized that this initiative is not just a project but a commitment to Nigeria’s food security and agricultural resilience.
“By working with JICA, researchers, NGOs, and farmers, we can build a sustainable agricultural system that guarantees food security for all Nigerians.”
Japan’s Support for Nigeria’s Agriculture
JICA’s Director General, Takao Shimokawa, reaffirmed Japan’s dedication to Nigeria’s agricultural growth, especially in rice production, stating:
“Nigeria, as Africa’s largest rice producer, will benefit from our new grant project, which includes providing modern rice production machinery.”
JICA has already made its first disbursement of the loan and will now focus on monitoring and supervising fund utilization.
Why This Matters
- Strengthens Nigeria’s food security amid rising global food challenges.
- Boosts local rice production and reduces dependence on imports.
- Encourages private sector involvement in agricultural input production.
- Deepens Nigeria-Japan economic ties for long-term agricultural growth.
Next Steps
- Implementation of emergency food security measures
- Deployment of mobile tech for real-time farming insights
- Procurement of modern rice production machinery
With Japan’s long-term partnership, this initiative is set to transform Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and economic sustainability.
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