Nigeria Invests N12 Billion in Rural Communities to Boost Climate-Smart Agriculture

The Nigerian government has invested over N12 billion to support 9,648 beneficiaries in 135 rural communities across 15 Northern states. This funding comes through the Community Revolving Fund Programme, part of the Agro-Climatic Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL) initiative.

During a recent press briefing in Abuja, Minister of Environment Balarabe Lawal shared these insights. The program aims to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and help communities adapt to climate challenges.

As of March 22, 2025, about $8.6 million (over N12 billion) has been allocated to 345 communities, benefiting 5,397 men and 4,251 women. These funds are set to improve agricultural production, processing, marketing, and storage infrastructures.

The ACReSAL project, developed in partnership with the World Bank, operates in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The initiative has successfully restored 178,235 hectares of degraded land and directly supported over one million people, with women representing half of the beneficiaries. Indirectly, the project’s impact reaches more than 13 million Nigerians.

To enhance forest protection and combat environmental crimes, the National Park Service received 11 operational vehicles and established six new ranger outposts under ACReSAL’s forest security component. Additionally, the project is promoting mechanized agriculture by providing 245 tractors and 1,450 hand-held tillers to 56,873 smallholder farmers. This includes drought-tolerant seedlings, organic fertilizers, and solar irrigation systems to boost productivity while reducing labor.

In a significant move, ACReSAL is collaborating with the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) to launch Nigeria’s largest agriculture-focused survey under the global 50×2030 initiative. This survey aims to fill critical data gaps, allowing for informed policy-making.

The commitment of the Federal Government to uplift rural populations and strengthen agriculture as a vital sector remains solid. As climate change continues to threaten food security, such initiatives are crucial.

Recent statistics highlight the urgency of these measures: a survey by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) showed that agricultural adaptation can reduce vulnerability for almost 60% of smallholder farmers worldwide. This emphasizes the importance of similar projects in Nigeria, showcasing a proactive approach to safeguard the future of agriculture.

For more details, you can explore further at the World Bank and FAO.

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ACReSAL,Climate Smart Agric,Resilience