The African Development Bank (AfDB) has announced its support for Nigeria with $134 million to enhance the cultivation of rice, maize, cassava, and soybeans, aiming to boost food production in the country.
Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, the President of AfDB, revealed this after visiting the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano, over the weekend.
Adesina stated that the bank’s assistance would enable Nigeria to cultivate 300,000 hectares each of rice and maize, 150,000 hectares of cassava, and 50,000 hectares of soybeans during the 2024 planting season.
He emphasized the importance of adapting to climate change and using water resources more efficiently, especially in cultivating drought-resistant crops. Adesina highlighted the need for timely and appropriate information to support farmers in adapting to climate change.
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Furthermore, AfDB plans to provide grants to the CDA and collaborate with it to become a center of excellence for weather pattern prediction and information gathering, aiding farmers in better planning. Additionally, AfDB will support youths in developing their agricultural business ideas with a $20,000 grant through programs such as ‘Agri Pitch’ and ‘Agri Hacking.’
Adesina commended the efforts of Prof. Sagir Adamu-Abbas, the Vice-Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano, and Prof. Jibrin Mohammed-Jibrin, the Director of CDA, for their roles in providing farmers with access to technology in the face of climate change.
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Established in 2012, the Centre for Dryland Agriculture (CDA) at Bayero University, Kano, is a World Bank-supported center dedicated to improving livelihoods, resilience, and sustainable use of natural resources in African drylands through training and research initiatives.