The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Katsina State Government, OCP Africa, The Infrastructure Bank, and the Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA) to establish a 50-hectare all-season demonstration farm at Sabke Dam in Katsina State.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, described the project as a transformational model farm that will serve as a national benchmark for modern agricultural practices. According to him, the farm will present a complete value chain, from land preparation and seed genetics to plant nutrition, harvesting, post-harvest processes, and ultimately, go-to-market strategies. He emphasized that the farm will not only serve as a learning center but also as a scalable model for future agricultural investments across Nigeria.
Ibrahim lauded the Katsina State Government for creating an investment-friendly environment, expressing gratitude for the state’s commitment to supporting the project. He acknowledged that the government has pledged to provide critical backing including land clearing, mechanisation, and overall farm management, making the initiative a true public-private partnership aimed at agricultural innovation and impact.
Highlighting the role of OCP Africa, Ibrahim noted that the company has already completed a comprehensive soil mapping of the Sabke Dam’s irrigable land. OCP Africa will now lead efforts in developing customized fertilizer blends tailored to the unique soil compositions and crop types of the area. This, he explained, will ensure higher productivity and better sustainability outcomes, particularly in the context of climate resilience.
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The Infrastructure Bank is also playing a critical role as the primary financier for key farm inputs, including the supply of urea fertilizer. According to Ibrahim, this financial support will help guarantee consistent production cycles and reduce input-related bottlenecks for the pilot farm. He confirmed that NADF will serve as the overall project manager, overseeing coordination among all stakeholders to ensure the smooth implementation and delivery of project objectives.
Governor of Katsina State, Dr. Dikko Umar Radda, expressed unwavering support for the initiative, stating that he embraced the project from its inception due to its far-reaching economic and social benefits. He highlighted the project’s potential to generate employment, boost agricultural output, and improve the livelihoods of local farmers. Radda reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting continuous agricultural production and aligning with national goals for food security and economic diversification.
To ensure transparency, accountability, and data-driven decision-making, NADF is also rolling out its newly developed digital Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) platform for this project. The platform is designed to track resource use, monitor processes in real time, and enable adaptive management practices based on data insights.
With this partnership, stakeholders are optimistic that the Sabke Dam demonstration farm will become a national model for sustainable, year-round agriculture, accelerating Nigeria’s journey toward self-sufficiency in food production and agricultural innovation.
