The Federal Government has obtained $634m in foreign agricultural loans to enhance food security and rural development. The loans comprise a $134m facility from the African Development Bank to improve seed and grain production nationwide.
Additionally, the government secured a $500m loan from the World Bank through the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP). This initiative aims to bridge the gap between rural communities and larger markets, improving access to agricultural hubs, schools, and hospitals while fostering social and economic development in rural areas.
The RAAMP project, currently active in 19 states, will allocate funds competitively based on socioeconomic indicators, readiness for implementation, and co-financing commitments by states. The initiative also seeks to improve women’s representation in the transport sector.
However, farmers across Nigeria have criticized the government’s agricultural interventions as selective and poorly implemented. Many claim the initiatives primarily benefit connected individuals, excluding smallholder farmers who form the backbone of Nigeria’s agricultural sector
