Ahead of the 2026 dry season farming, the Federal Government has strengthened agricultural productivity in Nasarawa State by distributing rice and cassava processing equipment, tricycles, and other tools to farmers. The initiative was carried out by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, during a two-day working visit to the state.
The equipment distributed to Value Chain Development Programme supported farmers and agribusiness groups included 46 tricycles, 16 rice steam parboiling machines, 18 rice milling machines, 10 rice de-stoning machines, 3 rice colour sorting machines, 11 digital weighing scales, 2 rice dehusking machines, 4 cassava grating machines, 4 cassava manual fryers, 3 automated framers, and 3 hydraulic pressers.
According to the Ministry, the intervention is designed to add value, reduce post-harvest losses, empower women and youth, increase competitiveness, boost productivity, support enterprise growth, deepen market participation, and expand rural employment opportunities. The programme, implemented in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), aims to address structural constraints in the rice and cassava value chains through integrated investments in production aggregation processing infrastructure market access and institutional strengthening. It also aligns with the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP).
Minister Kyari emphasised that agriculture under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership is being transformed into a modern market-oriented and private-sector-driven enterprise with Nasarawa State leading the way. He highlighted initiatives such as the Nasarawa Agro-Commodity Company (NASACCO) and the One-Stop Investment Centre (OSIC) as key drivers of the state’s investment climate.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State stated that the state’s agricultural programmes are aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at economic diversification, wealth creation, and empowering youth and women farmers. Dr. Fatima Aliyu, National Programme Coordinator of FGN/IFAD Value Chain Development Programme, added that the initiative would enhance productivity promote agro-processing and increase market access for rice and cassava smallholder farmers, contributing to food security, higher incomes, and new employment opportunities in rural Nigeria.
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