Northern States Welcome €18.3 Million EU-Germany Agriculture Project to Boost Food Production

Several northern states have welcomed a new €18.3 million agriculture initiative by the European Union and Germany, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s food production.

The project, titled EU-VACE TARED (Agriculture Value Chain Facility – Transformative Agricultural Systems for Rural Economic Development), is a four-year programme designed to transform the agricultural sector through climate-smart practices, job creation, and inclusive value chain development.

Targeting over 25,000 farmers across four key agricultural value chains—cocoa, dairy, tomatoes, and ginger—the project will run from October 2024 to September 2028. It will be implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ), in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The regional launch, held on Tuesday in Jos, Plateau State, was attended by dignitaries and representatives from Kano, Plateau, Kebbi, and other northern states, alongside officials from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture.

Speaking at the event, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, represented by State Commissioner for Livestock, Sunday Akpa, praised the initiative, calling it “laudable.” He expressed confidence that the project would revamp the state’s agricultural landscape, particularly the dairy sector, contributing to Nigeria’s dairy self-sufficiency.

“The project will not only revive our dairy sector but also improve farmers’ livelihoods and drive Nigeria towards self-sufficiency in dairy production,” Akpa said on behalf of the governor.

Kebbi State, represented by a director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Mr. Farouk Illo, also lauded the EU-Germany partnership, noting that the initiative aligns with the state’s efforts to increase agricultural productivity and enhance livelihoods. “We expect the project to boost output, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth,” Illo said.

Similarly, Kano State Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr. Aliyu Isa, highlighted the state government’s commitment to leveraging the project for agricultural development and food security. “The EU-VACE TARED project will support our efforts to modernise agriculture, improve value chains, and raise farmers’ incomes,” he added.

EU and German representatives at the launch, including Massimo De Luca, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr. Karin Jansen from the German Embassy, and Dr. Andrea Reudiger, Head of Programme, EU-VACE TARED, reiterated their commitment to supporting northern states and advancing Nigeria’s agricultural development.

“The EU is dedicated to enhancing connectivity, promoting sustainable development, and strengthening economic ties with Nigeria,” Luca said.

Prior to the launch, an EU-Germany delegation visited the Plateau State Ministry of Agriculture and Governor Mutfwang at the Rayfield Government House in Jos to brief them on the intervention.