FG, others push for more gender-inclusive, climate-smart agric models

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) said they are working together to transform Nigeria’s agriculture through gender-inclusive and climate-smart financing models. Key stakeholders convened on Wednesday in Abuja at the Validation Workshop on Climate-Smart & Gender-Inclusive funding to finalise a funding framework that will enable millions of women and […]

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) and the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) said they are working together to transform Nigeria’s agriculture through gender-inclusive and climate-smart financing models.

Key stakeholders convened on Wednesday in Abuja at the Validation Workshop on Climate-Smart & Gender-Inclusive funding to finalise a funding framework that will enable millions of women and youth to access agricultural assistance systems that are customised to their specific needs.

The framework, created in collaboration between NADF and GIZ, aims to replace conventional credit systems in agricultural financing with a comprehensive strategy that incorporates digital tools, advisory support, extension services, mechanisation, and risk-sharing arrangements.

In his address, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, announced the launch of a mechanization programme under the NADF that will deploy 2,000 John Deere tractors in its initial phase, with a target of 10,000 tractors in five years.

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He added that the current NADF effort represents the federal government’s dedication to promoting resilience, inclusivity, and prosperity across our food systems and goes beyond simple paperwork.

“The programme is designed to ensure equitable access to these resources, particularly for smallholder farmers, women, and youth,” he said.

“Inclusion demands that we think beyond traditional financial instruments. We must explore innovative approaches that digital platforms can provide tailored financial products that meet the unique needs of these groups,” the minister said.

Kyari noted that “our pursuit of food security is intrinsically linked to our capacity to provide farmers with the necessary tools and resources to adapt to climate-induced challenges.”

NADF Executive Secretary Mohammed Ibrahim described NADF mission as “simple yet ambitious: to unlock and deploy financing that works for every Nigerian farmer, no matter where they are or what barriers they face.”

“This is more than validation—it is co-creation of a financing model that meets farmers where they are and takes them to where they deserve to be,” Ibrahim said.

NADF called on stakeholders to imagine new delivery models, “Can we bundle financing, insurance, and mechanisation into one service – pay-as-you-plant? Can digital platforms deliver microloans to women via mobile wallets?” Ibrahim said.

Delivering her keynote address, Nigeria’s Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, called for urgent and inclusive financial systems to empower women and build resilience against the growing impacts of climate change while also praising the NADF for its role in inclusive agriculture.

“Women constitute between 70 to 75 percent of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce and produce about 70 to 80 percent of the nation’s food. Yet, they receive only a small fraction of the credit and land allocated to small-scale farmers,” she said.

“We must collectively work to dismantle the systemic barriers that have historically hindered women’s full participation and ensure a level playing field where their contributions are recognised and supported,” she added.

Representing the German Development Agency (GIZ), Andrea Osuna reaffirmed Germany’s long-standing partnership with Nigeria in agricultural transformation.

“Food systems do more than feed people; they are the backbone of livelihoods, economies, and our environment,” she said.

Osuna urged stakeholders to implement the recommendations outlined in the newly validated framework. These include developing targeted financial products, increasing access to non-collateralized loans, enhancing institutional coordination, and promoting climate-smart agriculture.

“We are proud to support Nigeria’s efforts through projects like ACCESS, which strengthen agriculture, improve nutrition, and drive sustainability through innovations like renewable energy and agri-tech,” she noted.