The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector by equipping smallholder farmers with modern inputs and access to funding, according to Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Speaking during a meeting with the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), Álvaro Lario, in Rome, Shettima emphasized the administration’s focus on increasing productivity, resilience, and commercialization across the country’s farming communities.
“We are not giving handouts. We are empowering our farmers—particularly the youth and women—with the tools they need: access to finance, mechanization, and support systems,” the Vice President stated.
He noted that part of the government’s strategy involves scaling up ongoing IFAD-supported agricultural projects to extend their impact across more rural communities nationwide.
As part of his working visit, Vice President Shettima also held high-level meetings with leaders of key international food and development agencies. These included the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), QU Dongyu, and the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), Cindy McCain.
During discussions with the FAO chief, Shettima sought enhanced collaboration on initiatives aimed at reviving the Lake Chad basin, boosting all-season farming, and supporting the Federal Government’s Green Revolution Project.
The engagements reflect Nigeria’s broader agricultural agenda to foster food security, reduce poverty, and promote inclusive rural development through strategic global partnerships.
