A total of 89,000 farmers in Katsina State have received support under the Nigeria COVID-19 Action for Recovery and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARE) programme, marking one of the most expansive agricultural empowerment interventions in the state’s recent history.
The intervention, implemented through the FADAMA component of the programme, is aimed at restoring livelihoods disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic while strengthening food security and rural incomes across the state.
In an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP as obtained by Nigeria Startup News on Tuesday, the state coordinator of NG-CARE, Nafiu Mohammad Musa, disclosed this, saying the programme was deliberately designed to cushion the economic shock suffered by farmers during the pandemic when movement restrictions, market closures, and supply chain disruptions crippled agricultural production.
“During COVID-19, many farmers could not access farms, inputs, or markets. NG-CARE was introduced to reverse that damage and build long-term resilience,” he said.
According to him, beneficiaries of the programme received a wide range of agricultural inputs and productive assets, including improved seeds, fertilizers, agro-chemicals, sprayers, fingerlings for fish farming, and day-old chicks for poultry production.
In addition, farmer groups were supported with mechanised assets such as power tillers, threshers, grinders, and milling machines to improve productivity and reduce post-harvest losses.
Musa explained that the agricultural intervention forms a key pillar of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda’s Building Your Future agenda, which prioritises food security, rural development, and economic empowerment.
“Katsina’s economy is largely agrarian. By supporting 89,000 farmers, the state government is not only improving household income but also strengthening food availability and price stability across communities,” he added.
The NG-CARE programme operates on a Performance-for-Results (P4R) model, under which the Katsina State Government invests in projects while the World Bank assesses and reimburses verified outcomes, noting that this approach has enabled the state to attract significant funding while ensuring accountability and value for money.
Farmers across several local government areas have already reported increased yields and reduced production costs as a result of the intervention, particularly those who benefited from shared mechanisation equipment and improved inputs.
Beyond immediate gains, the programme is also laying the foundation for sustainable agricultural growth by promoting modern farming practices, cooperative ownership of assets, and inclusive access to resources for smallholder farmers.
With the first phase of NG-CARE officially concluded in December 2025, Katsina State has signalled its readiness to build on the gains recorded.
Governor Radda has submitted an expression of interest to the World Bank for the continuation of the programme under NG-CARE 2.0, a move expected to further expand agricultural and livelihood support across the state.
“As we move into the next phase, the focus will be on deepening impact and ensuring that more farmers and rural households benefit from government-supported interventions,” he said across Katsina State communities.
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