The Nigerian government is set to integrate agricultural insurance into its National Agricultural Growth Scheme Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) as part of its efforts to manage agricultural risks and bolster food security.
This announcement was made by Aliyu Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, during a workshop held in Abuja.
The NAGS-AP initiative, which started during the 2023 dry season with a focus on wheat cultivation, aims to support farmers through government intervention.
Abdullahi emphasized the need for agricultural insurance to safeguard the investments made through this program and to ensure the stability of Nigeria’s food systems amid the growing threats of climate change.
The workshop was convened to educate stakeholders on the advantages of incorporating insurance into the NAGS-AP framework.
Abdullahi pointed out that favorable weather conditions have led to successful harvests so far, but stressed the importance of insurance in protecting these achievements and ensuring long-term food security.
Folashade Joseph, Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), highlighted the significance of insurance for both dry and wet farming seasons.
She affirmed NAIC’s commitment to partnering with various stakeholders to mitigate agricultural risks and enhance national agricultural productivity.
Ishaku Buba, the national coordinator for NAGS-AP, noted that the event aimed to broaden the program’s scope, particularly by enhancing its insurance component to better meet the needs of farmers and other key players in the agricultural sector.
