NADF moves to fix farm input gaps, targets higher productivity

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has engaged key stakeholders across the agribusiness value chain to review and strengthen modalities for improving agricultural input supply and boosting productivity in Nigeria.

The engagement took place at the NADF Farm Input Supply Programme roundtable with processors held in Lagos.

Speaking at the forum, the Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the Fund remains committed to evidence-based learning and continuous process improvement as it reviews the first phase of the programme.

Ibrahim, who was represented by the Head of Corporate Services, NADF, Abiodun Sosanya, explained that the pilot intervention was designed to enhance input supply and agricultural productivity across grower systems nationwide.

He acknowledged that the pilot phase faced challenges that affected planting cycles and expected yields, noting that such difficulties highlighted the complexity of implementing large-scale agricultural interventions.

“These challenges are real, and they underscore the complexity of implementing agricultural interventions such as the NADF–Farm Inputs Supply Programme,” he said.

Despite the setbacks, Ibrahim reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to working closely with processors to improve accountability and strengthen operational efficiency. 

He urged processors to actively engage the Fund to achieve practical outcomes that would support improved input systems, increased productivity, and broader national agricultural transformation.

“As we reflect on the implementation of the first phase of this programme, the NADF remains firmly committed to evidence-based learning and continuous process improvement for optimal efficiency in the delivery of our mandate.

“The NADF remains optimistic that your insights, experiences, and recommendations will play an important role in shaping a more efficient, transparent, and climate-responsive second phase of the programme, ensuring better impact and sustainability,” he added.

Industry players at the roundtable commended the initiative while calling for improvements ahead of the next phase.

The Chief Executive Officer of Vemac Farms Limited, Oyo State, Femi Ojelade, said food security in Nigeria requires stronger collaboration among processors, smallholder farmers, and government agencies. He urged the NADF to ensure the timely delivery of inputs ahead of planting seasons.

“We understand it’s the first phase. But in the second phase, they have to work assiduously to make sure that most processors actually get their inputs at least a month before the planting season,” Ojelade said.

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Similarly, the Managing Director of Arog Bio Allied Agro Services Limited, Aroge Temitope, described the scheme as supportive in ensuring a steady flow of raw materials along the agribusiness value chain.

“For us, it’s a good project, and it’s actually very supportive of food security and wealth creation in rural areas,” he said.

Temitope noted that the programme came at a critical time for his company, enabling it to access inputs and support for its outgrower base. He disclosed that through the NADF Agro 1.0 scheme, his firm was able to cultivate sufficient cassava for the 2025 and 2026 seasons across Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti states.

On the future direction of the programme, the Head of Strategy and Planning at NADF, Adebanke Fajana, said the Fund aims to reach five million smallholder farmers under its Agro 2.0 scheme.

According to her, the NADF is leveraging processors within the organised private sector as channels to reach smallholder farmers more effectively.

Fajana said the Fund is working closely with processors to address challenges and lessons identified during the pilot phase, with a view to improving coordination and implementation in subsequent iterations.

“We have a very robust system of monitoring and evaluation, with regional and state monitors who have boots on the ground to assess cultivation levels, input usage, and adoption of good agronomic practices,” she said.

She added that the approach ensures not only the provision of inputs, but also their proper utilisation and the adoption of best agronomic practices by end-users, to maximise productivity and impact.