The Bank of Agriculture (BOA) has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting two million smallholder farmers across Nigeria as the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Programme was officially flagged off in Zaria, Kaduna State.

Implemented in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Arzikin Noma Africa, the programme introduces a more integrated model of agricultural financing that supports farmers from planting through to harvest and market access. Through structured financing, quality farm inputs, extension services, weather advisories and a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) mechanism, the initiative is designed to improve productivity, reduce market risks and strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, Mr. Ayo Sotinrin, said the programme represents a shift in how agricultural finance is delivered, placing farmers at the centre of a support system that extends beyond access to credit.

“Agricultural transformation is not achieved through isolated interventions. It happens when every part of the value chain works together, from production to processing, from financing to market access, to create an environment where farmers can thrive,”

he said.

Mr. Sotinrin disclosed that the programme is designed to reach two million smallholder farmers, deploying more than 10 million bags of fertiliser alongside improved seeds. To date, close to 300,000 farmers have been onboarded, while more than 1.1 million bags of fertiliser and over 16,470 metric tonnes of improved seeds are being distributed through 20 Farmer Aggregation Companies operating across more than 20 states, supported by 15 accredited input suppliers.

Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, said the programme reflects the Federal Government’s strategy to boost domestic food production by strengthening support for smallholder farmers, who account for about 85 per cent of Nigeria’s food production despite cultivating relatively small landholdings.

He noted that the programme’s Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) mechanism addresses one of the biggest challenges facing farmers, market uncertainty. Under the model, every participating farmer is linked to a Farmer Aggregation Company that provides inputs and extension support throughout the production cycle before purchasing harvested produce at a government-approved minimum price. This ensures farmers have a predictable market, protects them from exploitative pricing and encourages greater investment in production.

The Group Managing Director of Arzikin Noma Africa, Mr. Adeoluwa Michael Adeshola, described the partnership as a practical demonstration of how government and the private sector can work together to transform agriculture. He explained that the programme’s revolving financing model allows farmers to repay after harvest, enabling additional farmers to benefit in subsequent farming seasons.

The flag-off brought together government officials, traditional rulers, development partners and farmers, underscoring a shared commitment to building a more productive, resilient and market-oriented agricultural sector for Nigeria.