In a bold move to revitalize the agricultural sector and tackle unemployment in the northern part of the country, the Federal Government has officially signed a financing agreement to commence the $158.15 million Value Chain North (VCN) Programme. This landmark project aims to transform agribusiness, boost productivity, and create over 30,000 direct and indirect job opportunities across nine states in Northern Nigeria.
Conceived following Vice President Kashim Shettima's passionate appeal during the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS) Stocktaking Moment in Rome on July 24, 2023, the VCN Programme is a product of robust international and domestic collaboration. The initiative is jointly funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the French Development Agency (AFD), and the Government of Nigeria.
The VCN project is set to span eight years and will focus on unlocking the full potential of agricultural value chains across Borno, Bauchi, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara states. The initiative seeks to empower youths, women, and vulnerable populations by facilitating access to finance, infrastructure, and training in agribusiness. One of the key components of the project is the construction of over 229 kilometers of access roads to connect rural farming communities to key markets, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and transportation costs.
Vice President Shettima, who has been a consistent advocate for agricultural reform in Nigeria, hailed the agreement as “a milestone in our collective journey towards economic diversification, inclusive development, and food security.” He noted that agriculture remains a critical tool in fighting poverty, enhancing community resilience, and driving sustainable development.
Experts believe the Value Chain North Programme will significantly enhance Nigeria’s food production capacity and reduce reliance on imports, especially at a time when global food security challenges have made agricultural self-sufficiency a top national priority.
As implementation begins immediately, stakeholders across the benefiting states have expressed optimism that the initiative will mark a turning point for millions of smallholder farmers, agro-entrepreneurs, and rural dwellers who rely on agriculture for their livelihoods.