Nigeria Gets N80.7 Billion From World Bank to Boost Agriculture in Northern Nigeria

The Northern part of Nigeria will get 495.3 million dollars, about N80.7 billion from the World Bank to boost agriculture in Northern Nigeria. This was made known via a press statement issued by Mr. Bamidele Oladokun, Communications Associate to the World Bank in Abuja. The statement said that the bank’s executive directors approved the money to improve farmers’ access to irrigation and drainage services. It stated that the money was also to strengthen institutional arrangements for integrated water resources management. The board also intends to enhance the delivery of agricultural services in selected large-scale public schemes in Northern Nigeria. This will be done through a project titled,”Transforming Irrigation Management in Nigeria” (TRIMING). “TRIMING will improve existing irrigation on 27, 000 hectares, irrigate an additional 23, 000 hectares, and benefit more than 140, 000 farmers, while mobilising the private sector to investment. “It marks a transformational effort to improve large-scale public irrigation for expanding food production and encourage economic growth in rural areas.” “This is necessary to end poverty and boost prosperity, as well as enhance the resilience of agriculture production systems,’’ the statement said. It quoted the bank’s acting Vice-President for Africa Region, Mr. Jamal Saghir, as saying that, “Unlocking Africa’s development potential requires interventions in key sectors, such as energy and water.” By taking a comprehensive approach, the TRIMING project will increase farm productivity, build climate resilience and reduce flooding risks. “It will also improve the lives and well-being of millions of Nigerian citizens in Africa’s largest economy.