The African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Nigeria has advised smallholder farmers in Abia State to make judicious and effective use of agricultural grants provided under its Smallholder Farmers Initiative.
The National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, Jabiru Salisu Abdullahi, gave the charge during the official flag-off ceremony in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. Represented by Mrs. Fati Abubakar, Head of Programme Development and Implementation, Abdullahi stressed that the agricultural grants must be utilized with prudence, efficiency, and in line with the intended purpose.
He noted that the initiative reflects a significant investment in strengthening farming practices, increasing productivity, improving livelihoods, and enhancing food security in Abia State. According to him, supporting farmers through grants is key to building resilience and driving sustainable prosperity across local communities.
Abdullahi emphasized that the success of the programme in Abia will not only achieve immediate objectives but also open the door for the state to benefit from more AUDA-NEPAD interventions in the future.
“As part of our broader development agenda, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria is working on a project that will light up one million households across Nigeria with solar power,” he revealed.
The AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria CEO further disclosed that a monitoring and evaluation team will soon be deployed to Abia to track implementation, ensure accountability, and guarantee that the grants are properly applied to agricultural development.
The Smallholder Farmers Initiative is expected to play a critical role in boosting food production, empowering farmers, and contributing to the state’s economic growth.
Keywords: Abia farmers, AUDA-NEPAD Nigeria, agricultural grants, smallholder farmers initiative, food security, farming communities, agricultural development in Abia
