Barau allocates N2.79 billion to boost agriculture in northwest

…Targets 558 young farmers

Jibrin Barau, the deputy senate president , has introduced a N279 billion loan scheme for farmers across the 186 local government areas in the seven states of the Northwest geopolitical zone.

The initiative, which was unveiled to journalists covering the Senate on Thursday, aims to support 558 young farmers by providing them with financial assistance to expand agricultural production.

The allocation per state includes 69 beneficiaries from Kaduna, 132 from Kano, 63 from Kebbi, 102 from Katsina, 81 from Jigawa, 69 from Sokoto, and 42 from Zamfara.

Representing Senator Barau at the announcement, his Special Adviser on Policy and Monitoring, Professor Bashir Fagge, explained that the program, known as “Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the North West (BIARN),” will select three young farmers from each local government area in the seven states.

Each participant will receive N5 million, bringing the total disbursement to N2.79 billion.

He said, “Food security is paramount and at the top of the agenda of progressive nations globally. Without it, you are insecure at the individual, family, local government, state, and country levels.”

Senator Barau emphasized the region’s historical significance in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, recalling how the Northwest once served as the nation’s food basket, supplying food both locally and for export.

He expressed concern over the decline in agricultural productivity and highlighted the need to revitalize farming across the region.

“To change the narrative and harness the enormous arable land across the seven North West states, I have developed the initiative of empowering 558 young farmers in the North West geopolitical zone for the first phase of the programme,” he noted.