The United Kingdom's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has unveiled plans to leverage £204 million in private sector investment to boost agriculture in Nigeria, with a focus on enhancing the livelihoods of 3.79 million smallholder farmers.
The announcement was made by Mrs. Adiya Ode, Country Representative for Propcom+, a UK-funded climate-resilient agricultural programme, during a stakeholders' meeting in Katsina.
Propcom+: Advancing Climate-Resilient Agriculture
Propcom+ is an eight-year agricultural market development initiative under UK Aid, designed to support economic growth for smallholders and SMEs in regions affected by climate change and conflict. Running from 2023 to 2030, the programme aims to:
Increase productivity and incomes of small-scale farmers
Enhance climate resilience and promote sustainable farming
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions while protecting natural ecosystems
According to Mrs. Ode, the initiative is positioned to transform Nigeria's rural economy by addressing environmental, social, and economic challenges in the country's food and land-use system.
Target Beneficiaries and Funding Allocation
The programme is set to increase the incomes and climate resilience of 3.79 million poor and vulnerable Nigerians, with 50% of beneficiaries being women. It also aims to support over four million people in adopting sustainable agricultural practices.
Of the £204 million investment, £95 million has been earmarked specifically for programme implementation.
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Propcom+ is currently active in:
Kano
Kaduna
Jigawa
Bauchi
Plateau
Gombe
Adamawa
Katsina (recently approved)
The inclusion of Katsina follows discussions between Governor Dikko Radda and the FCDO. Stakeholder meetings with farmers, businessmen, processors, academics, women's groups, and cooperatives have confirmed strong support for the programme's rollout.
Addressing Key Agricultural Challenges
Propcom+ seeks to tackle three major issues affecting Nigeria's agricultural sector:
1. Low Agricultural Productivity – By introducing sustainable farming practices and modern techniques to improve yields
2. Conflict Over Natural Resources – By promoting fair land-use policies and reducing tensions between farmers and herders
3. Climate Change Impact – By developing resilient agricultural systems that mitigate environmental risks
A Market-Driven Approach to Agricultural Growth
