The National Agricultural Development Fund convened a roundtable with agricultural processors and stakeholders to review the first phase of its Farm Input Supply Programme. Designed to address the challenge of timely access to quality farm inputs, the programme aims to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen rural livelihoods.
Nasir Ingawa, General Manager of Partnerships and Investor Relations, explained that while the programme’s objectives are clear, its implementation has encountered challenges, including delays that disrupted planting cycles and reduced expected yields. The roundtable was intended to help the Fund learn from these experiences and improve the programme’s design, coordination, and delivery mechanisms. Ingawa identified specific issues such as input‑supply logistics and weather‑related factors linked to climate variability, emphasizing the need to bring all stakeholders together to devise inclusive strategies that reflect on‑the‑ground realities.
The discussion also addressed concerns about government policies affecting the importation of farm inputs. Ingawa noted that public policies are dynamic and often crafted in response to prevailing circumstances. Participants, including Prof. Mukhtar Yusuf Abdullahi—a processor and agricultural consultant—commended the programme’s objectives and the introduction of subsidies that enable farmers to produce more competitively. However, Abdullahi warned that falling commodity prices threaten 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 measures that affect the agricultural value chain.
The roundtable is seen as a crucial step in refining strategies for improved delivery in the next phase of the programme. Moving forward, the National Agricultural Development Fund is expected to strengthen quality‑assurance processes, optimize logistics and timelines, and integrate stronger climate‑risk considerations into programme planning and implementation. The outcomes of the discussion are anticipated to have a significant impact on the agricultural sector, particularly for smallholder farmers who are the primary beneficiaries of the programme.
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