…demand decentralization of interventions

By Gabriel Ewepu

ABUJA – AS the wet season commences, farmer groups under the auspices of the Coalition of Nigerian Farmers’ Groups, have expressed pain over the alleged exclusion from agricultural interventions from the Federal Government.

Speaking at a press conference, the Special Assistant to the National President, Coalition of Farmers Association of Nigeria (COFAN), Moukhtar Mohammed, said they are out to express their growing dissatisfaction and concern over the Federal Government’s decision to channel virtually all agricultural intervention funds, grants, and programmes through the Bank of Agriculture, BoA.

Mohammed also said they want the Federal Government to address critical concerns, operational bottlenecks, and inadequacies in the BoA’s disbursement of intervention funds, which have implications for national food security.  

Meanwhile, the coalition is made up of smallholder farmers, commodity associations, cooperative societies, agro-processors, and agricultural stakeholders across the country.

Farmer group leaders present include; Moukhtar Mohammed of the Coalition of Farmers Association of Nigeria (COFAN); and Ahmed Yusuf of the Himma Youth Farmers Association of Nigeria (HYFAN). 

He said: “We, the Coalition of Nigerian Farmers’ Groups, comprising smallholder farmers, commodity associations, cooperative societies, agro-processors, and agricultural stakeholders across the country, address this press conference to express our growing dissatisfaction and concern over the Federal Government’s decision to channel virtually all agricultural intervention funds, grants, and programmes through the Bank of Agriculture (BOA).

“Our concern is not borne out of opposition to government efforts to support agriculture, but rather from the practical realities faced daily by millions of farmers who are the intended beneficiaries of these interventions.

“Over the years, the Federal Government and development partners have introduced numerous agricultural support programmes aimed at improving food production, enhancing farmers’ livelihoods, and strengthening national food security. Such programmes include the National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-supported agricultural initiatives, and several other intervention schemes funded by both domestic and international partners.

“Unfortunately, the decision to centralize the implementation and disbursement of these programmes through the Bank of Agriculture has created significant challenges that are undermining the objectives of these interventions.

Our Major Concerns: Limited Accessibility by Farmers – A large number of farmers, especially those in rural communities, have limited access to Bank of Agriculture branches and services. Many farmers travel long distances at considerable cost only to face delays, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and administrative hurdles. Similarly, a high level of illiteracy among local farmers and inadequate internet connectivity make it difficult for many rural farmers to open and operate the mandatory accounts required by the BOA.

“Slow Disbursement of Funds and Inputs -Agricultural activities are highly time-sensitive. Delays in accessing financing, inputs, seeds, fertilizers, and other support services often result in farmers missing critical planting windows, thereby reducing productivity and affecting national food output. Timely intervention is essential to agricultural success, and any delay directly undermines farmers’ ability to maximize yields.

“Inadequate Capacity to Implement and Complete Major Agricultural Interventions – The Coalition is deeply concerned about the apparent operational and institutional limitations of the Bank of Agriculture in managing multiple large-scale agricultural intervention programmes simultaneously. Evidence from ongoing programmes indicates persistent delays in the commencement and execution of key interventions, including the implementation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)-funded agricultural support programme and the completion of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP Phase I).

“Many farmers who were registered and verified under these programmes continue to await the delivery of promised inputs, financing support, and extension services. The inability to timely conclude existing programmes while taking on additional intervention responsibilities raises serious concerns regarding the Bank’s capacity, preparedness, and operational efficiency.

“The continued concentration of numerous agricultural interventions under a single institution without adequate infrastructure, manpower, technology, and field presence risks creating implementation backlogs that could undermine donor confidence, frustrate beneficiaries, delay agricultural production cycles, and ultimately threaten national food security objectives.

“Exclusion of Genuine Farmers -Numerous reports from our members indicate that many genuine farmers are unable to access loans and other intervention programmes through the BOA despite meeting eligibility requirements. Too often, critical funds are trapped in excessive administrative procedures or fail to reach actual practitioners. This has created deep frustration among farmers and diminished confidence in government agricultural support schemes.

“Over-Centralization of Agricultural Support -Concentrating virtually all agricultural programmes under a single institution creates operational inefficiencies, increases administrative burdens, and limits competition, innovation, and responsiveness in service delivery. No single institution possesses the capacity to effectively manage every agricultural intervention across Nigeria’s vast and diverse agricultural landscape.

“Delays in the Commencement of Strategic Development Partner Programmes – The Coalition is particularly concerned that the channeling of externally funded agricultural interventions through the BOA has contributed to delays in the commencement of critical programmes supported by international development partners, including JICA and other donor-funded initiatives. Such delays not only deprive farmers of urgently needed support but also risk undermining Nigeria’s credibility with development partners and discouraging future investments in the agricultural sector.

“Threat to Agricultural Growth and National Food Security – The current arrangement is slowing the delivery of critical support to farmers at a time when Nigeria is grappling with rising food prices, insecurity, climate-related challenges, and increasing demand for food. Continued delays and inefficiencies may significantly reduce agricultural production, worsen food shortages, increase inflationary pressures, and undermine national food security.

“At a time when government is seeking to achieve food self-sufficiency and reduce dependence on food imports, the creation of administrative bottlenecks in agricultural intervention delivery is counterproductive and poses a direct threat to national stability and economic growth.

“Reduced Participation of Cooperatives and Commodity Associations – Farmers’ cooperatives, commodity associations, and commodity value-chain groups have historically played vital roles in identifying genuine farmers, monitoring programme implementation, ensuring accountability, and facilitating outreach to grassroots beneficiaries. The current structure has largely sidelined these organizations, weakening grassroots participation and reducing transparency in programme delivery.

Meanwhile, as their demand he (Mohammed) said, “Our position; The Coalition acknowledges the importance of the Bank of Agriculture as a critical institution in agricultural financing. However, we believe that no single institution should serve as the exclusive gateway for all agricultural interventions and programmes in a country with over 200 million people and millions of farmers spread across diverse geographical locations.

“Recent experiences with the delayed commencement of JICA-supported interventions, the prolonged completion process of NAGS-AP Phase I, and the slow implementation of other agricultural support programmes clearly demonstrate the risks associated with over-centralizing agricultural intervention delivery through a single institution.

“We cannot afford to manage national food security through a single centralized operational bottleneck.

“A more inclusive and decentralized approach—leveraging commercial banks, microfinance institutions, development finance institutions, licensed input suppliers, verified grassroots cooperative networks, commodity associations, and state-level agricultural institutions—is urgently required to ensure that agricultural interventions reach intended beneficiaries efficiently, transparently, and exactly when they are needed.

“We wish to reiterate that our position is guided solely by the interests of Nigerian farmers and the urgent need to strengthen national food security. We remain committed to supporting all genuine efforts by the Federal Government and development partners to transform the agricultural sector.

“However, agricultural interventions can only achieve their intended objectives when they reach farmers promptly, efficiently, and without unnecessary bureaucratic obstacles. 

“We therefore call on the Federal Government to urgently review the current arrangement and adopt a more inclusive, efficient, and farmer-centered approach to agricultural intervention delivery. The future of Nigeria’s food security depends on the decisions taken today.”