No more seasonal farming — Agric fund pledges all-year support

The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) says it is working with relevant agencies to transition Nigeria’s agriculture from rain-fed farming to year-round production in a bid to strengthen food security.

Executive Secretary of the Fund, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed this in Abuja on Wednesday during an interactive session with journalists.

Ibrahim explained that NADF was established to tackle critical challenges confronting farmers, with a focus on enhancing productivity, profitability, and resilience. He stressed that reliance on rainfall makes Nigeria’s agricultural system highly vulnerable to climate change, resulting in inconsistent yields, food shortages, and post-harvest losses.

According to him, dry-season farming—supported by irrigation and controlled inputs—has consistently delivered higher yields and better profitability.

“Over the years, dry season farming has shown higher yields because inputs, water, and other variables can be controlled. We have gone further to set up model farms with private partners to demonstrate this transition. Beyond that, we are also helping farmers move from peasant methods to more commercial approaches,” he said.

The NADF boss noted that the Fund is mobilising finance for dry-season farming while ensuring farmers have access to improved seeds, fertilisers, and modern equipment. He added that water management and utilisation remain a critical focus for sustaining year-round farming.

On mechanisation, Ibrahim said NADF was pursuing a holistic strategy covering crops, livestock, aquaculture, and fisheries.

“The whole mantra is: how do we keep optimising dry season farming? How do we keep providing funding support to ensure production is maximised?” he asked.

He highlighted that intensive, mechanised production models in livestock, tree crop management, aquaculture, and fisheries would boost efficiency, reduce drudgery, and attract young people into agriculture.

According to him, NADF’s interventions are aligned with the Federal Government’s broader food security agenda, with an emphasis on sustainability and commercial viability.

“Food and nutrition security is not just about producing more food, but about doing it in a sustainable and commercially viable manner. This is why NADF is focusing on finance, mechanisation, and partnerships to achieve results,” he said.