The World Bank has approved a $500 million credit to support the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) Project, aimed at improving agricultural productivity, strengthening value chains, and creating employment opportunities. The initiative focuses on enhancing food and nutrition security while addressing structural challenges that have limited the growth potential of Nigeria’s agriculture sector, which remains the country’s largest source of employment.
The project seeks to transition smallholder farmers from subsistence farming to more commercially viable agricultural practices. By improving access to quality inputs, strengthening market linkages, and addressing climate-related challenges, the initiative aims to increase productivity and ensure more stable incomes for farmers. It also emphasizes building resilience among farming communities to withstand environmental and economic shocks.
A key component of the project involves supporting agribusinesses that collaborate with smallholder farmers through a results-based matching grant mechanism. This approach encourages investment in aggregation, post-harvest management, agro-processing, and improved market access. The project will prioritize major crops such as rice, maize, cassava, and soybeans, which are critical to both food security and economic growth in Nigeria.
In addition to value chain development, the initiative will strengthen agricultural research and extension systems while promoting the use of improved and climate-resilient seeds. It will also introduce a national digital farm and farmer registry and provide farmers with digital advisory services, including localized climate and weather information, to enhance decision-making and productivity.
The project further aims to improve regulatory systems for seeds and fertilizers, expand access to high-quality agricultural inputs, and encourage responsible land-based investments. With strong monitoring and citizen engagement mechanisms, the initiative places a particular focus on inclusion, ensuring that women and youth benefit from expanded opportunities within the agricultural sector.
Over its six-year implementation period, the project is expected to benefit up to one million smallholder farmers and mobilize additional private sector investment. By strengthening agricultural systems and promoting value addition, the AGROW project supports Nigeria’s broader goal of achieving sustainable economic growth, job creation, and improved food security.
