The Bank of Agriculture (BOA), in partnership with Japtini Foods and Retail, has officially flagged off the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Programme in Adamawa State, reaffirming its commitment to empowering smallholder farmers, strengthening agricultural value chains, and advancing Nigeria’s food security agenda.

The programme, implemented under the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund (RH-SVCF), is designed to provide farmers with quality agricultural inputs, structured financing, extension support, and guaranteed market access. By addressing the major constraints faced by smallholder farmers, the initiative aims to increase agricultural productivity, improve rural livelihoods, and build a more resilient agricultural sector.

The Adamawa flag-off forms part of the nationwide implementation of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to transform agriculture into a sustainable driver of economic growth, employment, and national food security through strategic public-private partnerships.

The Renewed Hope Smallholder Support Programme in Adamawa represents another milestone in the Federal Government’s agricultural transformation agenda.

Driving Agricultural Transformation Through Partnership

Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, described the programme as a significant intervention that demonstrates the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to supporting farmers and strengthening agricultural value chains across the country.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is restoring confidence across Nigeria’s agricultural sector by ensuring farmers have access to the support they need to produce more. Through strategic partnerships such as this, we are creating opportunities for increased productivity, stronger value chains, and sustainable livelihoods for farming communities.”

He noted that empowering farmers with the right inputs, financing, and market opportunities remains central to achieving national food security while creating sustainable economic opportunities for rural communities.

Beyond Input Distribution

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, Mr. Ayo Sotinrin, explained that the programme represents a comprehensive approach to agricultural development by addressing the systemic challenges that have historically limited productivity among Nigeria’s smallholder farmers.

According to him, agricultural transformation cannot be achieved through isolated interventions but through integrated solutions that support farmers throughout the production cycle—from access to quality inputs and finance to aggregation and guaranteed market access.

“Food security is no longer just an agricultural objective; it is an economic necessity. By combining quality inputs, structured financing, and guaranteed market access, this programme is helping to build a more productive, more resilient, and more commercially viable agricultural sector.”

Mr. Sotinrin emphasized that the Bank of Agriculture remains the financial backbone of the programme, providing the structured financing required to ensure farmers can access essential agricultural inputs without the burden of prohibitive upfront costs.

Through the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support Programme in Adamawa, thousands of farmers will gain access to financing, improved seeds, quality fertiliser, extension services and structured market opportunities.

Supporting Two Million Smallholder Farmers Nationwide

Under the Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund, the Bank of Agriculture is supporting two million smallholder farmers across Nigeria through one of the country’s most comprehensive agricultural financing initiatives.

The programme includes:

• Distribution of over 10 million bags of fertiliser.
• Supply of improved, high-yield seed varieties.
• Structured agricultural financing through accredited partners.
• Farmer aggregation and extension support.
• Guaranteed market access to improve price stability and reduce post-harvest losses.

The initiative is currently being implemented across more than 20 states through accredited partners, ensuring that farmers receive not only financing and inputs but also the technical support required to improve yields and profitability.

Importantly, the programme also promotes inclusive agricultural development, with more than one-third of all beneficiaries being women, reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding opportunities for women in agriculture and strengthening rural economies.

Adamawa’s Strategic Role in Nigeria’s Food Security

Highlighting the importance of the state, Mr. Sotinrin described Adamawa as one of Nigeria’s leading agricultural hubs with enormous potential to contribute to national food production.

He noted that the state’s comparative advantages in grain cultivation, groundnut production, and livestock development position it as a critical contributor to achieving the country’s long-term food security objectives.

“When farmers in Adamawa succeed, Nigeria moves closer to achieving its goal of feeding itself and building a stronger agricultural economy.”

He added that supporting farmers in states with strong agricultural potential creates a multiplier effect across the national economy by increasing food production, stimulating agribusiness investments, and creating employment opportunities throughout the agricultural value chain.

Building a Resilient Agricultural Future

The Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund (RH-SVCF) is one of the flagship agricultural interventions under the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The programme is designed to improve farmers’ access to agricultural inputs, finance, aggregation services, extension support, and reliable markets while strengthening the resilience and competitiveness of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Through strategic collaborations between government institutions and private-sector partners such as Japtini Foods and Retail, the initiative demonstrates a shared commitment to building an agricultural ecosystem where farmers are empowered to increase productivity, improve incomes, and contribute meaningfully to national economic development.

As implementation continues across the country, the Bank of Agriculture remains committed to delivering innovative financing solutions and strategic partnerships that support smallholder farmers, strengthen agricultural value chains, and drive sustainable food security for Nigeria.

The Renewed Hope Smallholder Support Programme in Adamawa demonstrates how strategic partnerships between government, financial institutions and the private sector can transform Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.