Thousands of farmers from across Kaduna State converged at the Zaria Polo Field on Friday 17th July, 2026 as the Arzikin Noma/Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Programme in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), launched a major agricultural intervention aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s food systems and empowering smallholder farmers.
The programme brought together farmers, agricultural stakeholders, development partners and government officials with a shared commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity, promoting food security and improving the livelihoods of rural farming communities.
As part of the intervention participating farmers received improved seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals and other essential wet-season farming inputs to boost crop production during the current planting season. The initiative also focused on value chain development, farmer registration, access to finance, storage, processing and market linkages to ensure sustainable agricultural growth.
The programme facilitated through the collaboration of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Arzikin Noma Africa and the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), highlights the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting smallholder farmers as key drivers of national food security and economic development.
Speaking at the event stakeholders emphasized that empowering farmers through improved access to quality inputs, finance and market opportunities remains critical to achieving the objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda for agriculture.
The event was attended by several dignitaries, including the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari; the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi; the Managing Director of the Bank of Agriculture, Ayo Sotinrin; the Group Managing Director of Arzikin Noma Africa, Hon. Umar Uba Mai Chitta; the Vice Chairman of Sabon Gari Local Government, Hon. Abdulkarim Kamilu; Adeoluwa Michael Adeshola; and the Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli.
Their presence underscored the importance of collaboration among government institutions, financial organizations, traditional institutions, and private sector partners in transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The initiative is expected to strengthen agricultural value chains, reduce food insecurity, increase farmers’ incomes, and create sustainable livelihoods for millions of Nigerians, reinforcing the nation’s drive towards a more resilient and productive agricultural economy
