By James Isaac, Abuja
The Deputy President of the Senate, Senator (Dr) Barau I. Jibrin, has unveiled an ambitious agricultural initiative aimed at empowering 558 young farmers across the North West geopolitical zone.
The program, tagged the Barau Initiative for Agricultural Revolution in the North West (BIARN), seeks to revitalize agriculture in Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Sokoto, and Zamfara states by providing financial support to selected young farmers.
Speaking at the National Assembly on Thursday through his Special Adviser on Policy and Monitoring, Professor Bashir Muhammad Fagge, Senator Barau said the initiative aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda on food security.
Under the scheme, three young farmers from each of the 186 local government areas in the region will receive an interest-free N5 million loan to invest in farming during this season, bringing the total disbursement to N2.79 billion. The program will focus on maize and rice cultivation to boost food production and reduce costs.
Senator Barau emphasized the need to restore the North West as Nigeria’s agricultural hub, recalling its past role in feeding the nation and exporting produce.
“Food security is paramount. Without it, we face insecurity at every level—individual, family, local government, state, and national. Decades ago, the North West was Nigeria’s food basket, but that status has declined. Through BIARN, we are empowering young farmers to revive our agricultural heritage and ensure food security,” he stated.
The breakdown of selected beneficiaries per state is as follows:
Kano – 132
Katsina – 102
Jigawa – 81
Kaduna – 69
Sokoto – 69
Kebbi – 63
Zamfara – 42
The program will be implemented through a partnership between the Barau I Jibrin Foundation (BIJF) and a national financial institution, with an official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) expected to be signed next week. The initiative is scheduled for a full launch in April 2025, ahead of the farming season.
Senator Barau urged stakeholders and the media to support the program, stating that achieving food security would solve more than half of Nigeria’s economic challenges.
“Let’s do this together for the benefit of all,” he concluded.
