FG Flags Off National Agricultural Growth Scheme – See How to Benefit
As the effect of subsidy removal deepens, the Nigeria federal government has flagged off the National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro Pocket in selected states. See the list of eligible states and learn all you need to know about the scheme including how to benefit from it below.
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About National Agricultural Growth Scheme
Approved on 15 Jul 2022, The National agriculture growth scheme(NAGS) also known as Argo-Pocket is an intervention program funded by the African Development Bank with the aim of combining the effect of increased productivity, increased cropping intensity, and expansion of production areas.
The scheme is intended to help increase the volumes of locally produced foods that will improve household and national food security, build resilience to external shocks and safeguard livelihoods to the benefit of the economy.
The scheme was officially signed on 15 Feb 2023 before the exit of the Buhari administration and is expected to run till 31 Dec 2027 with the last disbursement date being 31 Dec 2023.
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Benefits of the Scheme
Under this scheme, smallholder farmers across Nigeria(1,000,000) are supposed to receive certified seeds of heat-tolerant wheat, drought-tolerant maize, high-yielding rice and soybean varieties, fertilizer, and agro-chemicals, as well as advisory/extension services, to at least double their average yields.
List of Eligible States
In a recent flag-off of the first phase of the scheme titled ATASP1 done by the current president, the following five(5) states have been selected to kick start the first phase of the scheme;
- Kano
- Niger
- Kebbi
- Jigawa and
- Sokoto.
In this phase, about 60,000 smallholder farmers are expected to benefit from the scheme. Although, it is not clear if more states will be added to make the 60,000 beneficiaries at the moment.
During the flag-off in Abuja, Umakhihe said the goal of the NAGS is to increase total food production to crash the continued rise in the prices of agricultural commodities and make them affordable to the average Nigerian.
He said the project specially targeted to support over 250,000 wheat farmers with relevant farm inputs to cultivate about 250,000 hectares with an expected output of 1,250,000 metric tons of wheat to be added to the food reserve with a view to reducing dependence on foreign importation of the product and increase domestic consumption, particularly for the flour millers.
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How to Benefit From The National Agricultural Growth Scheme
Smallholder farmers in the above-mentioned states are most likely going to access these products through their various farmer’s cooperatives or other smaller groups according to their land size and desired farm product.
At the moment, there is no portal or official information on the mode of distribution or application, and no timeline is given for adding other states to the beneficiary list.
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