NADF Partners GIZ to Unlock Gender-Inclusive Funding to Farmers, Adopt Climate-Smart Agriculture

James Emejo in Abuja

Executive Secretary, National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mr. Mohammed Ibrahim, has reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to unlock and deploy financing for every Nigerian farmer, “no matter where they are or what barriers they face”.

In partnership with the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), the fund also restated their commitment to transforming the country’s agriculture through gender-inclusive and climate-smart financing models.

The NADF boss spoke at the validation workshop on Climate-Smart and Gender-Inclusive Financing in Abuja.

Ibrahim said, “This is more than validation—it is co-creation of a financing model that meets farmers where they are and takes them to where they deserve to be.”

He called called on stakeholders to imagine new delivery models that “bundle financing, insurance, and mechanisation into one service—pay-as-you-plant.”

He also envisaged products that allow digital platforms to deliver micro-loans to women via mobile wallets to smallholder farmers.

Ibrahim further called on all participants to take ownership of the process.

He said, “Let us use today to build something real. Not a policy on paper, but a framework that lives in our farmlands and fields, our markets, and the futures of our farmers.”

However, GIZ representative, Dr. Andrea Ruediger, reaffirmed Germany’s long-standing partnership with Nigeria in agricultural transformation.

He said, “Food systems do more than feed people, they are the backbone of livelihoods, economies, and our environment.

“We are proud to support Nigeria’s efforts through projects like ACCESS, which strengthen agriculture, improve nutrition, and drive sustainability through innovations like renewable energy and agri-tech.”

Ruediger urged stakeholders to implement the recommendations outlined in the newly validated framework, including developing targeted financial products, increasing access to non-collateralized loans, enhancing institutional coordination, and promoting climate-smart agriculture.

The workshop builds on a previous session held in November 2024, where stakeholders helped craft the initial draft of the financing model.

The second phase is focused on validation, product refinement, and setting clear steps for implementation.

Key stakeholders finalised a financing framework aimed at providing millions of women and youth with access to agricultural support systems tailored to meet their unique needs.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the initiative as “more than just documentation” adding that it “embodies our commitment to fostering resilience, inclusivity, and prosperity within our food systems”.

The framework, jointly developed by NADF and GIZ, seeks to shift agricultural financing from traditional credit systems to a holistic approach that includes mechanisation, extension services, digital tools, advisory support, and risk-sharing mechanisms.

The minister stressed the importance of integrating digital tools and financial literacy to reach underserved groups.

He said, “Inclusion demands that we think beyond traditional financial instruments. We must explore innovative approaches leveraging digital platforms can provide tailored financial products that meet the unique needs of these groups.

“Our pursuit of food security is intrinsically linked to our capacity to provide farmers with the necessary tools and resources to adapt to climate-induced challenges.”

Referring to recent flood disasters in the country. he said, “The urgency of integrating risk management and anticipatory action into our agricultural systems cannot be overstated.”

In her remarks, Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, called for urgent and inclusive financial systems to empower women and build resilience against the growing impacts of climate change while also praising the NADF for its role in inclusive agriculture.

She said, “Women constitute between 70 to 75 percent of Nigeria’s agricultural workforce and produce about 70 to 80 percent of the nation’s food. Yet, they receive only a small fraction of the credit and land allocated to small-scale farmers.

“We must collectively work to dismantle the systemic barriers that have historically hindered women’s full participation and ensure a level playing field where their contributions are recognised and supported.”

Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, called for urgent attention to the country’s most vulnerable groups, particularly displaced persons, in national development policies.

Speaking at the workshop, Yilwatda lamented that discussions often overlook those “who don’t even have a voice.”

He said, “We have over five million Nigerians displaced across the country. That’s more than the population of most states. Yet, they are rarely at the center of our national discourse.”

He praised NADF for its role in supporting inclusivity in the country, adding, “Your support is helping us move from theory to impact. Even for those who have lost hope, they at least have food on their table.”