The National Agricultural Development Fund has convened a roundtable discussion with agricultural processors and stakeholders to review the first phase of its Farm Input Supply Programme. The programme, designed to address the challenge of timely access to quality farm inputs, aims to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods.

According to Nasir Ingawa, General Manager of Partnerships and Investor Relations, the programme’s objectives are clear, but its implementation has faced challenges, including delays that affected planting cycles and expected yields. The roundtable discussion was held to enable the National Agricultural Development Fund to learn from the first phase and improve its design, coordination, and delivery mechanisms.

Ingawa noted that some challenges identified were related to input supply logistics and weather-related factors linked to climate variability. He emphasized the importance of bringing all stakeholders together to devise inclusive strategies that reflect realities on the ground. The discussion also touched on concerns about government policies affecting the importation of farm inputs, with Ingawa acknowledging that public policies are dynamic and often designed to respond to prevailing circumstances.

Participants, including Prof. Mukhtar Yusuf Abdullahi, a processor and agricultural consultant, commended the programme’s objectives and the introduction of subsidies, which enables farmers to produce more competitively. However, Abdullahi warned that falling commodity prices pose a risk to farmers’ ability to repay loans and sustain their livelihoods. He urged the government to adopt a more inclusive approach to policy formulation by consulting stakeholders before implementing policies that affect the agricultural value chain.

The roundtable discussion is seen as a crucial step in refining strategies for improved delivery in the next phase of the programme. As the National Agricultural Development Fund moves forward, it is expected to strengthen quality assurance processes, optimize logistics and timelines, and integrate stronger climate-risk considerations into programme planning and implementation. The outcome of the discussion is expected to have a significant impact on the agricultural sector, particularly for smallholder farmers who are the primary beneficiaries of the programme.