Seven States to Benefit as EU, Germany Support Nigeria’s Farming Future

News in brief:

-A €18 million EU-backed project will boost cocoa, dairy, tomatoes, and ginger production in seven Nigerian states by cutting post-harvest losses, enhancing value addition, and promoting climate-smart farming.

-It aligns with Nigeria’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security, jobs, and growth, with a steering committee ensuring transparency and impact.

Nigeria is partnering with Germany and the European Union on a €18.3 million initiative designed to transform farming and food supply. Running from October 2024 to September 2028, the project aims to modernise agricultural practices, cut waste, and create new opportunities, particularly for young people and women.

Called the EU-VACE TARED Project (a mouthful), its core idea is straightforward: strengthen crops that Nigeria already produces in abundance but struggles to process or preserve effectively.

The Crops in Focus

The project is focusing on four key value chains:

• Cocoa – a major export crop often sold only as raw beans, with little value addition.
• Dairy – where heavy reliance on imports persists despite abundant livestock.
• Tomatoes – widely grown across the country, yet nearly half are lost post-harvest due to poor storage and transport.
• Ginger – where Nigeria is already a top producer, but improved processing could unlock greater earnings in global markets.

By targeting these sectors, the project aims to boost farmer incomes, reduce waste, and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness in agriculture.

Where It’s Happening

Seven states are set to lead the way—Cross River, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Ondo, Oyo, and Plateau—chosen for their strength in producing the target crops. The programme will train farmers in climate-smart techniques, including drought-resistant seeds, improved irrigation, and better soil management.

Tied to Nigeria’s Bigger Food Agenda

At the launch, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security Aliyu Abdullahi tied the project to President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda,” which prioritises food security, poverty reduction, and job creation. He described the initiative as a “transformative pathway” to tackle persistent challenges such as limited access to finance and high post-harvest losses.

To ensure accountability, a steering committee is being established. Abdullahi stressed it won’t exist 'just on paper,' but will actively track progress and deliver visible results for farmers.

Why Farmers Should Care

For farmers, the potential gains are enormous. Instead of exporting raw cocoa beans, local chocolate factories could create jobs. Tomato growers might finally access processing plants that preserve their harvests. Dairy farmers could benefit from cold storage and stronger market links. Ginger could shift from sacks on the farm to high-value processed products on supermarket shelves worldwide.

In short, this is more than farming—it’s about transforming agriculture into a modern, profitable industry that can drive Nigeria’s economy well beyond oil.