๐๐จ๐ซ๐ญ๐ก ๐ก๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฌ ๐๐, ๐๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ฒโ๐ฌ โฌ๐๐.๐๐ฆ ๐๐ ๐ซ๐ข๐ ๐ฉ๐ซ๐จ๐ฃ๐๐๐ญ
Several northern states have applauded the European Union and Germany for introducing a fresh โฌ18.3 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 โ 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 โ cocoa, dairy, tomatoes and ginger โ between October 2024 and September 2028. It will be implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft fรผr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership with Nigeriaโs 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 stateโs dairy sector and boost Nigeriaโs 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 Kebbiโs efforts to improve productivity and expand economic opportunities.
โWe expect the project to boost our agricultural output, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth,โ Illo said.
Kano Stateโs Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Aliyu Isa, said the project would support the stateโs ongoing drive to modernise agriculture and enhance food security.
โThis 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 farmersโ incomes,โ 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 Nigeriaโs agricultural development.
