Abubakar, Oluwafunbi Tamilore

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Computer Science

Agricultural policies from 2014 to date

1. Anchor Borrowers Programme:

The Anchor Borrowers' Programme (ABP), established by the Central Bank of

Nigeria (CBN), was launched by President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) on
November 17, 2015. It is intended to create a linkage between anchor companies
involved in the processing and smallholder farmers (SHF) of the required key
agricultural commodities.

The ABP provides farm inputs in kind and cash (for farm labor) to smallholder
farmers to boost the production of these commodities. At harvest, the SHF supplies
his/her produce to the Agro-processor (Anchor) who pays the cash equivalent to
the farmer's account.

CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, February 2018: "Since the commencement of

the (Anchor Borrowers) Programme in November 2015, the CBN in partnership
with state governments and several private sector groups, have disbursed a
cumulative sum of N55.526 billion to over 250,000 farmers who cultivated almost
300,000 hectares of farmland for rice, wheat, maize, cotton, soybeans, cassava, etc.

"Two years into the implementation, the program has contributed to the creation of
an estimated 890,000 direct and 2.6 million indirect jobs."

2. Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI):

PFI was launched in December 2016 as the outcome of a partnership between the
Governments of Nigeria and Morocco and implemented as a Public-Private
Partnership in Nigeria, led by the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA)
and the Fertilizer Producers and Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN). The
Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) under the President Buhari administration has
resulted in benefits that will include annual savings of US$200 million in foreign
exchange, and N60 billion annually in budgetary provisions for Fertilizer
subsidies. The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) has been able to create 60,000
direct jobs and even a higher number of indirect jobs under the Buhari-led
administration. Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) delivered 10 million 50kg
bags(500,000MT) of NPK 20:10:10 fertilizer at a price of N5,500 in time for the
wet season which is down from the price of N9,000 per 50kg bag in 2016, a 40%
reduction in price.
3. Youth Farm Lab:

The Youth Farm Lab is an Initiative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in

conjunction with Synergos, to train Nigerian youths on livestock production and
sustainable urban agriculture. It seeks Nigerians between the ages of 18 and 35
years who are passionate about Agriculture and believe in its profitability potential.

4. Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative (PEDI):

Launched in July 2017, the Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative (PEDI)

supports the revival of moribund industries (especially in Agro-processing) by
facilitating new investments, reducing regulatory bottlenecks, and enabling access
to credit. PEDI has made breakthroughs in the agribusiness sector in Imo and Ondo
States.

5. Food Security Council:

The Council, to be chaired by the President, was inaugurated on Monday, March

26, 2018. It has as its members: Governors of Kebbi, Taraba, Plateau, Lagos,
Ebonyi, and Delta States; Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Chief of
Staff to the President; National Security Adviser; Ministers of Agriculture and
Rural Development; Finance; Interior; Industry, Trade and Investment; Water
Resources; Environment; and Budget and National Planning; Chief of Defense
Staff; Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Directors-General of the
Department of State Services and the National Intelligence Agency; and the
Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

The broad objectives of the Council include developing sustainable solutions to the
farmers-herdsmen clashes; Climate Change and Desertification and their impact on
farmland; grazing areas and lakes, rivers and other water bodies; oil spillage and its
impact on Niger Delta Fishing Communities; piracy and banditry; agricultural
research institutions and extension services and the problem of smuggling. The
Council will also take interest in regional and global policies and trends that bear
implications for food security in Nigeria.
6. Agricultural Promotion Policy

When incumbent Muhammadu Buhari came in 2015, he launched the Agricultural

Promotion Policy (APP), which will expire by December, to consolidate on the
already established ATA policy. The new policy was geared towards the provision
of a conducive legislative and agricultural framework, macro policies, security-
enhancing physical infrastructure, and institutional mechanisms, so as to enhance
access to essential inputs, finances, information on innovation, agricultural
services, and markets.

Available data shows that despite its professed commitment to developing the
agricultural sector, and indeed an investment in the sector, agriculture has grown at the
weakest rate under the Buhari administration than any other government since the
return of democracy in 1999. The sector grew at an average of 15 percent in the past five
years of the government, an analysis of the country’s gross domestic products by
Statisense, a data analysis platform, shows.

By comparison, the sector grew by 133 percent under the Obasanjo administration; 19.1
percent under President Musa Yar’adua’s short tenure, and 22.2 percent under Mr.
Jonathan’s government. In terms of the agricultural sector’s contribution to the GDP,
the Buhari administration has so far done better than only the Jonathan administration,
based on an analysis by the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism. Data
evaluated by PTCIJ shows that the sector contributed an average of 27.5 percent under
President Obasanjo, 25.6 percent under President Yar’adua, 21.75 percent under
President Jonathan, and 21.90 percent under President Buhari

7. Home Grown Feeding Program

President Buhari initiated the Home Grown Feeding Program which is designed to
put an end to the importation and market monopoly of farm produce that can be
grown here in our country it is a pilot vehicle for sustainable economic,
agricultural, academic, and job creation across the length and breadth of our nation.

8. Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises

The Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprises (LIFE) program was initiated by

the Buhari Administration and it is aimed at bringing life back to rural
communities through the empowerment of youth, women, and other vulnerable
groups across the country. It is geared towards promoting community-based on-
farm and off-farm business activities as a model for job and wealth creation
amongst unemployed youth and women in rural and suburban households. It is
expected to establish 150,000 cooperatives nationwide under commodity value
chain groups. It will establish and operate up to 1,000 cottage industries in the
country, and ultimately engage about 1,995,500 youth and 997,500 women for
enhanced productivity. It would add about 5,965,000 metric tons of food to the
national food store.

9. National Irrigation Policy and Strategy

The National Irrigation Policy and Strategy has been developed and focuses on the
need to overcome the irrigation challenges and put available irrigation facilities in
the country into effective use. The PMB Administration has assessed the status of
infrastructure in all the 12 River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs) hence,
commenced immediate and effective use of the facilities for commercial farming.

10. The Green Alternative

The Green Alternative (TGA) was initiated, a major policy thrust to build an agri-
business economy capable of delivering sustained prosperity by meeting domestic
food security goals, generating exports, support sustainable income, and jobs.