FG Unveils Mega Post-Harvest Plan, NiPHaST, to End Hunger and Recapitalize Bank of Agriculture with N1.5 Trillion

The Federal Government has rolled out an ambitious package of agricultural reforms aimed at transforming Nigeria into a food-secure nation, focusing primarily on eliminating wastage and enhancing the financial stability of farmers. The cornerstone of this strategy is the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), unveiled today, Thursday, November 6, 2025.

Speaking on the initiative, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, stated that the plan is a direct response to President Bola Tinubu’s directive to modernize the sector and secure national food sovereignty. The need for the programme is critical, as Nigeria currently loses an estimated $10 billion (over N3.5 trillion) annually to inefficient post-harvest handling.

“This N3.5 trillion is not just produce going to waste. It is opportunity lost, farmer income destroyed, and food affordability compromised,” Minister Kyari emphasized.

NiPHaST: An Integrated Strategy

The NiPHaST programme is structured to integrate post-harvest handling and storage systems from the farm gate to the national reserve. It will focus on three key tiers: promoting affordable household storage technologies, developing community-level warehouses and cold rooms, and strategically enhancing the existing National Strategic Grain Reserve Silos across eight states through robust Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). This integrated network is designed to ensure food quality, stabilize prices, and make food abundance a reality.

Massive Financial Injection

To support this transition and ensure farmer productivity, President Tinubu has sanctioned significant financial reforms. The Minister confirmed the approval for the recapitalisation of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) with a massive N1.5 Trillion. This monumental move is complemented by a dedicated N250 Billion credit facility to be disbursed through the BOA to smallholder farmers at a single-digit interest rate, unlocking access to capital previously unavailable to grassroots producers.

Alongside these initiatives, the government is expanding the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme, which has already commenced the deployment of over 2,000 tractors and specialized farming implements nationwide. The government is also investing in critical rural infrastructure, including feeder roads, mini-dams, and solar-powered boreholes, to strengthen rural livelihoods and ensure harvested produce can efficiently reach markets.

The government believes that by deepening mechanization, expanding irrigation, and strengthening the storage ecosystem, it is laying an unbreakable foundation to eradicate hunger and reposition Nigeria as a leading food supplier in West Africa.