The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has distributed critical agricultural inputs to 2,000 onion farmers in Sokoto State, in a move aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening the resilience of Nigeria’s food system.
The intervention, carried out in Sokoto on Sunday, was described by NADF as part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to address structural challenges that continue to limit agricultural productivity and farmers’ incomes, particularly among smallholder producers.
Speaking at the exercise, the Executive Secretary of NADF, Muhammad Abu Ibrahim, represented by a Director at the Fund, Mr. Mu’azu Ibrahim, said post-harvest losses remain one of the most pressing constraints facing farmers across the country. He noted that significant volumes of produce are lost annually due to poor inputs, weak production systems and inadequate post-harvest handling.
According to him, the support provided to onion farmers in Sokoto is designed to cushion the impact of losses linked to poor-quality seedlings and other production-related challenges, while laying the foundation for improved yields and better market outcomes. He stressed that consistent and well-targeted interventions are essential to stabilising the sector and driving long-term growth.
Abu Ibrahim reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to reversing years of underinvestment in agriculture, explaining that NADF is focused on de-risking the sector to attract private capital and unlock sustainable growth. He added that identifying key risk factors and building an enabling environment for agribusiness investment remain central to the Fund’s mandate.
The Sokoto State Commissioner for Agriculture, Alhaji Tukur Alkali, welcomed the intervention, describing it as a critical boost for smallholder farmers who form the backbone of food production and food security in the state.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary representing the Sokoto State Government, Alhaji Almustapha Alkali, assured of the state’s continued collaboration with the Federal Government and development partners to strengthen agricultural value chains, stimulate economic activity, create jobs and reduce poverty.
The Project Coordinator of the Sokoto State Agricultural Development Project, Alhaji Abubakar Danmaliki, described the support as timely, especially as smallholder farmers grapple with rising production costs and other operational pressures.
On behalf of the beneficiaries, the President of the Onion Farmers, Producers and Marketers Association, Alhaji Aliyu Maitasamu, said the exercise successfully targeted genuine onion farmers. He noted that the intervention would provide much-needed relief following the challenges of the previous farming season and expressed confidence that it would significantly improve productivity and livelihoods across Sokoto State.