The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the European Union (EU) and the Government of Germany, has launched the €18.3 million EU-VACE TARED Project, a four-year initiative designed to modernise agriculture, strengthen food security, and create sustainable jobs through climate-smart practices.
Formally known as the Agriculture Value Chain Facility – Transformative Agricultural Systems for Rural Economic Development, the project will run from October 2024 to September 2028, targeting four critical value chains: cocoa, dairy, tomatoes, and ginger.
Implementation will be led by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, working with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Seven states, Cross River, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Ondo, Oyo, and Plateau, have been selected as project hubs.
At the launch, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, said the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and is a “transformative pathway” to reduce post-harvest losses, build resilience against climate shocks, and improve farmers’ access to finance.
He announced the creation of a steering committee to provide oversight and ensure accountability, emphasising that the project will strengthen value addition and protect both farmers and consumers.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, highlighted the importance of strengthening Nigeria’s dairy industry, noting that the country currently spends $1.5 billion annually on dairy imports. He said the project would not only reduce this dependence but also create jobs and support the growth of local industries.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, described the initiative as part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and Team Europe pipeline, which includes nearly €1.5 billion in green economy projects.
He stressed that the goal is to foster inclusive, climate-smart, and commercially viable agriculture while empowering youth and women agripreneurs.
Germany’s Deputy Head of Mission, Johannes Lehne, and GIZ Nigeria’s Deputy Country Director, Oladoyin Olawaiye, both underscored the project’s broader social impact, saying it would empower communities, build resilience, and connect farmers and MSMEs to global markets.
Credit Image: Paradigm News
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Nigeria, EU, and Germany launch €18.3m EU-VACE TARED Project to boost cocoa, dairy, tomatoes & ginger farming, enhance food security, and create jobs.
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€18.3 million EU-VACE TARED Project launch
