Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North), has launched a N2.79 billion loan scheme aimed at supporting farmers across the 186 local government areas in the seven states of the Northwest Zone.
The initiative seeks to enhance food security and empower young agricultural entrepreneurs.
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Thursday, Barau, represented by his Special Adviser on Policy and Monitoring, Professor Bashir Muhammad Fagge, disclosed that the initiative, tagged the Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the Northwest, aims to empower 558 young farmers across the region.
“Each beneficiary will receive an interest-free N5 million loan to invest in farming this season. The total sum of N2.79 billion will be disbursed to beneficiaries,” Barau stated.
Under the scheme, young farmers will be selected as follows: 69 from Kaduna, 132 from Kano, 63 from Kebbi, 102 from Katsina, 81 from Jigawa, 69 from Sokoto, and 42 from Zamfara.
Barau emphasised that food security is fundamental to the stability of individuals, communities, and the nation at large.
“Decades ago, the North, especially the Northwest, was the country’s food basket, producing agricultural products for consumption and export. Unfortunately, that is now history. This initiative aims to restore the region’s agricultural prominence,” he said.
The programme will focus on maize and rice cultivation to improve crop yields, lower food prices, and strengthen food security.
“The beneficiaries will be guided in cultivating maize and rice to achieve optimal yields. This will significantly boost food production, reduce the cost of food items, and contribute to national food security,” he added.
Barau’s foundation, the Barau I Jibrin Foundation, is partnering with a national financial institution to implement the project, which is set for full launch in April 2025, ahead of the farming season.
The Deputy Senate President stressed that the scheme is designed to empower youths with agricultural knowledge and transform food production in the region.
“The central concept behind this scheme is to revolutionise agricultural production in northwestern Nigeria by empowering youths with a background in agriculture,” he added.