By Fatima Saka
In a strategic move to rejuvenate the agricultural sector across Nigeria’s North West, Deputy Senate President, Senator (Dr.) Barau I. Jibrin, CFR, has unveiled an ambitious plan to cultivate 558 young farmer millionaires in the upcoming farming season.
The initiative, named the Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the North West (BIARN), aims to select three young farmers from each of the 186 local government areas spanning the seven states of the North West geopolitical zone: Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara.
Each chosen beneficiary will receive an interest-free loan of N5 million to invest in farming activities this season, totaling a disbursement of N2.79 billion.
Addressing the Senate Press Corps at the National Assembly on Thursday, Senator Barau emphasized that BIARN is designed to bolster the agricultural sector, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Speaking through his Special Adviser on Policy and Monitoring, Professor Bashir Muhammad Fagge, he noted that the initiative is being coordinated by the Barau I. Jibrin Foundation (BIJF).
Speaking at the Press Conference Excerpt, the deputy Senate President said: Ladies and gentlemen of the press, esteemed partners in progress, good morning and welcome to this briefing organized by the Barau I. Jibrin Foundation (BIJF). “We are here to announce a transformative initiative aimed at revolutionizing our nation’s agricultural sector, in harmony with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
“Food security is a critical priority for progressive nations worldwide. Without it, insecurity prevails at all societal levels.
“Historically, the North West was Nigeria’s food basket, supplying a significant portion of agricultural produce for national consumption and export. Regrettably, this is no longer the case.
“To change this narrative and leverage the vast arable land in the North West, we are launching the first phase of a program to empower 558 young farmers in the region.
“The Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the North West (BIARN) seeks to restore the area’s agricultural prominence and achieve food security by utilizing its extensive arable land.
“The Barau I. Jibrin Foundation (BIJF) is partnering with a national financial institution to implement this program. After a series of productive meetings, we are finalizing arrangements for the project’s launch, scheduled for April this year, ahead of the farming season.
“Under BIARN, three young farmers from each of the 186 local government areas in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara will be selected. Each will receive an interest-free N5 million loan to invest in farming during this cropping season, amounting to a total disbursement of N2.79 billion.
“The distribution of beneficiaries per state is as follows: Kaduna (69), Kano (132), Kebbi (63), Katsina (102), Jigawa (81), Sokoto (69), and Zamfara (42).
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“Beneficiaries will receive guidance in cultivating maize and rice, aiming to boost yields, reduce food costs, and enhance food security both regionally and nationally.
“In 2023, Nigeria produced approximately 8.9 million metric tons of paddy rice, the highest since 2010. However, this remains insufficient for our growing population. This scheme aims to revolutionize agricultural production in northwestern Nigeria by empowering youth with agricultural backgrounds.
“BIARN aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to boost agricultural production.
“Following my initial meeting, the chairman of the BIARN Implementation Committee, Professor Bashir Muhammad Fagge, along with my Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Alhaji Ismail Mudashir, have held further discussions with the financial institution’s top management. We are finalizing the partnership and plan to sign the Memorandum of Understanding next week, Insha Allah.
“I seek your support for the success of this project. Achieving food security will address more than half of our nation’s challenges.
“Let’s work together for the benefit of all.”
