Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Nigeria's Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has announced a $134 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to boost food security through dry season farming. The project will support between 150,000 to 250,000 wheat farmers with a 50% input subsidy, aiming to reduce food inflation and increase domestic consumption. The government will invest in irrigation infrastructure projects to optimize water usage and mitigate challenges posed by the dry season. The Wheat Development Programme, in partnership with the Federal Government, will expand the capacity of over 42,000 smallholder farmers. The Jigawa State government will provide free high-quality extension services to wheat farmers and has arranged with the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) to provide a guarantee for the balance of 37.5% of the cost of inputs supplied.