The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced its commitment to grant Nigeria $134 million in aid to boost the production of key agricultural commodities, including rice, maize, cassava, and soybeans.
Akinwunmi Adesina, the bank’s president, made this revelation during his visit to the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University in Kano this past Saturday.
He elaborated that the financial support from the bank will assist Nigeria in the development of 300,000 hectares dedicated to rice and maize production, in addition to 150,000 hectares for cassava and 50,000 hectares for soybean cultivation for the 2024 planting season.
In a briefing with journalists on his visit, Adesina mentioned, “In March, the AfDB will assist Nigeria in planting 118,000 hectares with varieties of wheat that are resistant to high temperatures, along with another 150,000 hectares designated for maize cultivation.
“We live in an era of climate change and yet only three per cent of African agriculture is under irrigation. We have to make sure we help our farmers with information that is timely and appropriate.”
“We have no alternative but to adapt to climate change; adopt better ways of using water, particularly in the cultivation of dry land crops that are more resilient and tolerant,” Adesina said.
Adesina further noted that the AfDB would offer grants to the CDA and work in collaboration with it to develop a centre focused on weather pattern predictions and information collection, enabling farmers to plant more effectively.
“We will work with the center to become one of the centers of excellence in technology.
“We will also support youths to develop their business ideas into reality with our 20,000-dollar grant on Agri Pitch and Agri Hacking,” Adesina said.