The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has said it is working with relevant agencies to transition Nigeria’s agricultural system from rain-fed farming to all-year-round production.
This is to enhance productivity and guarantee food and nutrition security.
Executive secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this in Abuja during an interactive session with journalists on Wednesday.
He said the fund was established to address key challenges facing farmers, with emphasis on increasing productivity, profitability, and resilience.
According to him, rainfall-dependent agriculture remains highly vulnerable to climate change, leading to inconsistent yields, food shortages, and post-harvest losses.
He noted that dry season farming, supported by irrigation and input control, had consistently proven to be more productive and profitable.
“Over the years, dry season farming has shown higher yields because inputs, water, and other variables can be controlled.
“We have gone further to set up model farms with private partners to demonstrate this transition.
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“Beyond that, we are also helping farmers move from peasant methods to more commercial approaches,” he said.
Mr. Ibrahim explained that NADF was catalyzing finance towards dry season farming, while also ensuring that the right seeds, fertilizers, and equipment were available to farmers.
He added that the fund was addressing gaps in water management and utilisation, describing them as critical to sustaining year-round agriculture.
On mechanisation, he said the agency was adopting a holistic approach that cuts across crops, livestock, aquaculture, and fisheries.
