The Federal Government has received the final report of the National Technical Working Group on the World Bank-supported $500 million Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains for Growth (AGROW) Programme, signalling the end of the design phase and the commencement of implementation.

Receiving the report at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Vice President Kashim Shettima said the programme would bridge the gap between farmers and national economic planning by placing agricultural producers at the centre of policy and development decisions.

He described the transition to implementation as a major milestone, noting that the initiative was designed through extensive consultations with stakeholders and reflects the realities and needs of Nigerian farmers.

The AGROW programme, supported by the World Bank, was developed through seven zonal consultations involving 32 states and is aimed at improving agricultural productivity, infrastructure, extension services, value addition and market access.

Shettima said agriculture remains critical to Nigeria’s economy, accounting for about 23 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employing 34 per cent of the workforce. He stressed that improving farm productivity would enhance food security, reduce poverty, create jobs and support economic growth.

According to the Vice President, 71 per cent of the programme’s $500 million funding, amounting to $355 million, will be implemented through participating state governments, placing them at the centre of project delivery.

He, however, noted that while the level of participation by states demonstrates strong commitment to agricultural development, the available funding remains insufficient to address decades of infrastructure, technology, extension and market access challenges.

Following the submission of the report, Shettima formally dissolved the National Technical Working Group, stating that its assignment had been successfully completed, with responsibility for implementation now transferred to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

The Vice President commended members of the working group, state governments, development partners and the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit for their contributions to the successful design of the programme.

Stakeholders, including Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Kaduna State Deputy Governor Hadiza Balarabe, Minister of Finance Dr Taiwo Oyedele, Minister of Agriculture Senator Abubakar Kyari and representatives of the World Bank, reaffirmed their commitment to the successful implementation of the initiative.

The AGROW programme is expected to drive agricultural transformation, attract private sector investment, strengthen food security and contribute to Nigeria’s broader economic development objectives.