NADF GRATE project
The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) launched its Ginger Recovery, Advancement and Transformation for Economic Empowerment (GRATE) project on March 28, 2024. This crucial N1.6 billion initiative was a direct response to the devastating ginger blight epidemic of 2023, which severely impacted ginger farmers across Kaduna, Plateau, Nasarawa, and the FCT.The GRATE project provided essential agricultural inputs, including high-yield seed varieties, fertilizers, and crop protection products, to 15,000 affected farmers. Our intervention aimed to swiftly rejuvenate ginger farming, helping farmers recover their livelihoods and ensuring the continuity of Nigeria's significant ginger production for the new planting season. NADF remains committed to supporting and empowering our nation's farmers.
NADF AgAgrow project
The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) is driving a significant transformation in Nigeria's food system through its N19.5 billion AgGrow Farm Support Programme. With the deployment of a cutting-edge digital Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) platform on July 4, 2025, AgGrow is set to empower 50,000 smallholder farmers across the nation.This program will provide a 50% subsidy on vital inputs such as improved seeds, fertilizers, and crop protection products for key crops including maize, rice, cassava, and soybeans. By connecting farmers directly with processors through structured outgrower arrangements, NADF is bridging market gaps, reducing reliance on middlemen, and ensuring sustainable raw material sourcing for agro-industries. AgGrow is meticulously designed for transparency and impact, leveraging technology to track every input from distribution to harvest, ensuring accountability and fostering increased yields and incomes for Nigerian farmers.
NADP-1 Lending Programme: Empowering Smallholder Farmers
The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) officially launched its maiden National Agricultural Development Programme (NADP-1) on-lending facility on June 25, 2025. This N1.5 billion pilot scheme aims to revolutionize access to finance, quality inputs, and market linkages for Nigerian smallholder farmers.In collaboration with Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) and NOVA Merchant Bank, NADP-1 initially targets 1,500 farmers across 1,500 hectares in Kaduna State, focusing on maize cultivation. The programme is designed to strengthen agricultural value chains, boost productivity, and align with the Federal Government's food security agenda. NADF is committed to expanding this transformative model to reach 10,000 farmers, ensuring sustained investment and enhanced profitability for more smallholder farmers across various priority crops nationwide.
NADF All Season Irrigation Initiative (Katsina State)
The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has embarked on a transformative irrigation project in Katsina State, establishing a 50-hectare all-season demonstration farm at the Sabke Dam. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for this pioneering initiative was officially signed on July 10, 2025, solidifying a strategic partnership with the Katsina State Government, OCP Africa, The Infrastructure Bank, and the Sokoto-Rima River Basin Development Authority.This project serves as a crucial "proof of concept" to showcase the commercial viability of year-round agriculture by optimizing existing irrigation infrastructure. The demonstration farm will cultivate staple crops like maize, sorghum, cowpea, and soybeans, while also serving as a vital hub for training and capacity building for smallholder farmers. NADF, as the overall project manager, aims to revitalize long-dormant assets, promote sustainable farming practices, and boost food security in Nigeria.
NADF's AgSkills Programme: Cultivating Youth Talent in (Ekiti State)
The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) is significantly investing in human capital development within Ekiti State through its Agricultural Skills (AgSkills) Programme. Announced on February 11, 2025, Ekiti State was selected as an inaugural beneficiary of this vital Agricultural Technical Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) initiative.The AgSkills Programme aims to train, equip, and empower 1,000 youths annually in Ekiti, providing them with essential agricultural skills for employment and entrepreneurship. This collaborative effort between NADF and the Ekiti State Government is designed to address unemployment, enhance food security, and stimulate local economic growth. Upon graduation, beneficiaries receive starter packs to launch their agribusiness ventures, fostering a new generation of skilled agricultural professionals and entrepreneurs committed to the state's prosperity.