The World Bank Task Team for the Nigeria Sustainable Agricultural Value-Chains for Growth (AGROW) Project has updated the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, on progress recorded in the project’s preparatory phase.
The Task Team Leader (TTL) of the AGROW Project at the World Bank, Mr. Hardwick Tchale, led the delegation that briefed the Minister on key milestones achieved towards the take-off of the World Bank-supported initiative.
During the meeting, the delegation provided updates on the recruitment of key personnel for the National Project Coordination Office (NPCO), noting that significant progress has been made in establishing the institutional structures required to meet the project’s effectiveness conditions and facilitate implementation.
The team also informed the Minister about the World Bank’s Value for Money Initiative, which has been incorporated into the composition and operational framework of the National Project Coordination Office to ensure efficiency and accountability in project execution.
Furthermore, the delegation disclosed that the work plan earlier submitted to the World Bank had undergone review and would be cleared after addressing a few identified observations. This clearance is expected to unlock access to the Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP), enabling the commencement of preparatory activities.
The World Bank team urged the Minister to continue engagements with the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Assembly to accelerate the fulfilment of outstanding effectiveness conditions required for the project to become operational.
Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the World Bank reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the successful launch and implementation of the AGROW Project. The initiative is designed to support the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by increasing the productivity of smallholder farmers and strengthening agricultural value chains across participating states in Nigeria.
