Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Jibrin Barau (APC, Kano North), has introduced a N2.79 billion loan initiative aimed at revitalizing agriculture and empowering young farmers across the seven states in Nigeria’s Northwest region.
The program, known as the Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the Northwest (BIARN), is designed to support 558 young agricultural entrepreneurs with interest-free loans. Each beneficiary will receive N5 million to invest in maize and rice farming, key staples in Nigeria’s food security efforts.
Speaking in Abuja on Thursday, Barau, represented by his Special Adviser on Policy and Monitoring, Professor Bashir Muhammad Fagge, emphasized the scheme’s importance in restoring the Northwest’s status as Nigeria’s agricultural powerhouse.
“Decades ago, the North, especially the Northwest, was the country’s food basket, producing agricultural products for both local consumption and export. Unfortunately, that is now history. This initiative aims to restore the region’s agricultural prominence,” he stated.
The loan distribution across the Northwest states includes:
Kaduna – 69 beneficiaries
Kano – 132 beneficiaries
Kebbi – 63 beneficiaries
Katsina – 102 beneficiaries
Jigawa – 81 beneficiaries
Sokoto – 69 beneficiaries
Zamfara – 42 beneficiaries
Strengthening Food Security and Economic Growth
Barau highlighted that the program will not only enhance food production but also reduce food prices, improve national food security, and provide employment for youth in the region.
“The beneficiaries will be guided in cultivating maize and rice to achieve optimal yields. This will significantly boost food production, reduce the cost of food items, and contribute to national food security,” he added.
The Barau I Jibrin Foundation (BIJF) is implementing the project in partnership with a national financial institution. The full launch is scheduled for April 2025, aligning with the upcoming farming season.
Aiming for an Agricultural Revolution
According to Barau, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to modernize farming in northern Nigeria and empower youth with the tools and resources needed to transform the sector.
“The central concept behind this scheme is to revolutionize agricultural production in northwestern Nigeria by empowering youths with a background in agriculture,” he concluded.
With this initiative, Senator Barau hopes to drive sustainable economic growth, food sufficiency, and youth engagement in agribusiness, reinforcing agriculture as a viable career path for the next generation of farmers.
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