The National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, says it is poised to end post harvest losses in Nigeria to boost agricultural output.
The Executive Secretary of the agency, Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim made the disclosure at a media parley on the recently concluded Africa Food Systems Forum in Dakar, Senegal.
He said that there were various deal rooms specific to Nigeria at the summit where investors indicated interests to invest in Nigeria.
As you are aware, post harvest losses is one of the major challenges we are facing, with post harvest losses accounting to as high as sixty per cent in certain value chains. So, that was what the deal room was specific for,” Mr. Ibrahim said.
He emphasised the critical role of the NADF in de-risking agricultural investments and catalysing private capital through blended finance, technical assistance, and feasibility studies.
Mr. Ibrahim noted that “the AgGrow project, a subsidised financing mechanism targeted at agro-processors with backward integration models, exemplifies the Fund’s efforts to strengthen the link between farms and factories, reduce food waste, and enhance value addition across staple crop value chains such as rice, maize, soya beans, and cassava.”
He said that “the summit was designed to showcase the various legacy projects by different agencies aimed at curbing post harvest losses in Africa and particularly Nigeria.”
He said that some of the lessons learnt at the summit would be applied to addressing under investment in agriculture.
“Under investment in the agricultural sector is not common to Nigeria. So, here we were looking at a regional approach. It is also very historical. It didn’t start now. It’s a historical issue that counties in Africa were facing. So, the crux of the matter was, how do we sit down as bodies that could drive investment into the sector? These were government agencies, development partners, international financiers, and all.
The highlight of it is that it showcased that there is commonality of problems, there are commonality of issues and some of the solutions that were highlighted including comparing notes were looking to create semblance of the same projects across different ecosystems. I would say that it was very impactful. There has been a lot of learning, and more interestingly, there is this commitment to work together,” Mr. Ibrahim said.
He stressed that in most of the high-level meetings he attended, forums for continuous engagement have been set up to drive in private capital as government as already done enough.
Mr. Ibrahim said that “what Nigeria is trying to achieve now is to locate risk factors and mitigate them as well puting in place enabling environment for investments.”
He pointed out that the setting up of the National Agricultural Development Fund, NADF, is a step in the right direction to focus on agriculture financing.
“The Fund aims to address agricultural finance constraints and enhance food security by providing structured financial support to farmers, agribusinesses, and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chain,” he said.
Mr. Ibrahim also said that the agency is positioned as a crucial institution to address agricultural finance challenges and enhance Nigeria’s agricultural potential.
He noted that no nation has ever achieved greatness without investing in knowledge, discovery, and innovation.
Defining Moment
Mr. Ibrahim described the validation exercise of the agency as a defining moment for Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
He further said that the NADF had conducted a baseline survey that provided critical insights into the state of Nigeria’s agricultural research and training institutions.
“We believe in the power of research and education to transform our agricultural landscape. This is a call to action to ignite change and create a future where Nigerian agriculture stands tall on the pillars of knowledge, technology, and innovation,” Mr. Ibrahim.
He stated that NADF offers Nigerian farmers and agribusinesses customized financial solutions, including accessible loans, grants, and credit guarantees, to support their growth and success.
“We promote the adoption of modern technologies and practices, from precision agriculture to climate-smart solutions, to enhance productivity and efficiency.
“We invest in research, capacity building, and market information systems, fostering a knowledge-driven agricultural sector.
“We facilitate increased food production across key value chains, enhancing Nigeria’s food security and stability to meet the needs of its rapidly growing population,“he said.
Mr. Ibrahim said that the promotion of economic growth, gender equality, and climate resilience in Nigeria’s agricultural sector remains the goal of the NADF.
Holistic Approach
The Executive Secretary also outlined the Fund’s holistic approach to sector-wide challenges, including water management, dry-season farming, mechanisation, and seed system development.
Through partnerships with River Basin Development Authorities and research institutions, the NADF is supporting the transition from rain-fed to all-year-round agricultural production while improving farmers’ access to high-quality inputs and innovative technologies.
Mr Ibrahim reiterated the importance of structured data-driven interventions and cross-border collaboration, as demonstrated in Dakar to sustainably transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
He stressed that the NADF would continue to serve as a catalyst for scalable solutions, private investment, and inclusive growth in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision for food security and economic diversification.