The World Bank has approved a $500m International Development Association credit to boost Nigeria’s agricultural sector under a new programme targeting smallholder farmers, value chains, and food security. The funding will support the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains for Growth Project, also known as AGROW, which aims to improve productivity, strengthen market linkages, and create jobs across the country. A press statement obtained from the World Bank’s website on Thursday read, “The World Bank has approved a $500m International Development Association credit for the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value Chains for Growth Project, aimed at increasing smallholder farmers’ productivity, strengthening agricultural value chains, and creating jobs while improving food and nutrition security.” The approval date for the loan project was disclosed as March 30, 2026, as earlier reported by The PUNCH in February 2026. Regarding the loan, the global lender noted that agriculture remains Nigeria’s largest employer but continues to underperform due to structural constraints. It stated, “Agriculture remains Nigeria’s largest source of employment, yet low productivity, limited access to quality inputs, climate shocks, and weak market linkages

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