Vice President Kashim Shettima has directed the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) to fast-track the disbursement of the federal government’s N250 billion credit support for smallholder farmers at a single-digit interest rate.
Shettima asked the PFSCU to develop an implementation roadmap for the loan, stressing the need to avoid further delays and ensure that the intended beneficiaries receive the support.
Shettima gave the directive on Thursday during the 6th meeting of the PFSCU Steering Committee at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Speaking on the Bank of Agriculture’s N250 billion facility, Shettima said, “We need to sit down with all stakeholders and come up with a robust roadmap that ensures these funds reach the intended farmers and translate into real productivity gains.”
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for granting the PFSCU political backing to act decisively on priority reforms, particularly fertilizer raw material liberalisation and the Presidential Seed Fund.
Shettima said PFSCU’s output has shown that “when Federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies, the private sector, and development partners align, we can move swiftly from intent to delivery.”
He also urged stakeholders to deepen collaboration in revitalizing the seed sector and expanding the strategic grain reserve through ongoing federal reforms.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, emphasized the need to establish a structure to ensure theN250 billion credit facility truly reaches smallholder farmers.
Similarly, Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, praised the Bank of Agriculture’s efforts but stressed the importance of subsidies for local farmers.
Earlier, PFSCU Coordinator Ms. Marion Moon highlighted the urgency of safeguarding Nigeria’s fragile food security gains, noting that 30.8 million Nigerians remain food insecure.
She said the unit had achieved significant progress in strengthening coordination and collaboration with MDAs across all levels of government.