𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡 𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐄𝐔, 𝐆𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲’𝐬 €𝟏𝟖.𝟑𝐦 𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭

Several northern states have applauded the European Union and Germany for introducing a fresh €18.3 million agricultural project designed to strengthen food production and advance rural economic development in Nigeria.

The initiative, known as EU-VACE TARED (Agriculture Value Chain Facility – Transformative Agricultural Systems for Rural Economic Development), is a four-year programme focused on climate-smart farming, job creation, and inclusive value-chain growth.

Targeting more than 25,000 farmers, the project will support four key value chains — cocoa, dairy, tomatoes and ginger — between October 2024 and September 2028. It will be implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The regional launch took place in Jos, Plateau State, and drew representatives from Kano, Plateau, Kebbi and other northern states, alongside officials from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

Speaking at the event, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by the Commissioner for Livestock, Sunday Akpa, praised the intervention and said it would help revive the state’s dairy sector and boost Nigeria’s move toward self-sufficiency in milk production.

He expressed confidence that the partnership would transform farming communities and improve the livelihoods of local producers.

Kebbi State, represented by a director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Farouk Illo, also commended the EU and Germany, noting that the project aligns with Kebbi’s efforts to improve productivity and expand economic opportunities.

“We expect the project to boost our agricultural output, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth,” Illo said.

Kano State’s Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Aliyu Isa, said the project would support the state’s ongoing drive to modernise agriculture and enhance food security.

“This is not the first time the EU and Germany have done something remarkable in Kano. We believe the EU-VACE TARED project will strengthen our value chains and increase farmers’ incomes,” he said.

The Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Massimo De Luca; the Head of Cooperation at the German Embassy, Dr Karin Jansen; and the Head of Programme, EU-VACE TARED, Dr Andrea Reudiger, reaffirmed their commitment to supporting northern states and advancing Nigeria’s agricultural development.