The Federal Government of Nigeria, in partnership with the European Union and the Government of Germany, on Wednesday launched the €18.3 million EU-VACE TARED Project, a four-year initiative designed to transform the country’s agricultural sector through climate-smart practices, job creation, and inclusive value chain development.
The EU-VACE TARED (Agriculture Value Chain Facility – Transformative Agricultural Systems for Rural Economic Development) project will run from October 2024 to September 2028. It will target four critical value chains — cocoa, dairy, tomatoes, and ginger — and will be implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Budget and National Planning and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Cross River, Kano, Kaduna, Kebbi, Ondo, Oyo, and Plateau States have been designated as implementation hubs for the programme, which seeks to boost food security, strengthen innovation, and expand opportunities for women and youth.
Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, described the initiative as a “transformative pathway” that aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This project definitely aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, in which food security, poverty eradication, economic growth and job creation, inclusivity, and access to finance are all critical components,” Abdullahi said.
He commended the EU for its funding support and GIZ for its technical expertise, noting that the project would address pressing challenges such as post-harvest losses, climate shocks, and limited financing. Abdullahi also announced the creation of a project steering committee to ensure transparency and measurable results.
Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, underscored the project’s relevance to Nigeria’s dairy sector, lamenting that the country spends $1.5 billion annually on dairy imports.
“We believe this project can change the narrative by creating local industries, employing people, improving quality of life, creating social harmony, and progressively reducing imports,” Maiha stated.
The Head of the EU Delegation to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, said the programme is part of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy and the Team Europe initiative, aimed at fostering sustainable development and resilience.
“Nigeria’s agricultural sector is rich with potential but faces challenges such as weak access to funds, climate risks, and infrastructure deficits. Perhaps the most urgent challenge is generational — making agriculture attractive and viable for young Nigerians,” Mignot said.
He disclosed that the EU is investing over €87 million in agriculture and climate-resilient programmes in Nigeria, with a broader Team Europe pipeline of nearly €1.5 billion in green economy initiatives.
Deputy Head of Mission at the German Embassy, Johannes Lehne, described the project as a strategic investment in Nigeria’s agricultural future, while Deputy Country Director of GIZ Nigeria, Oladoyin Olawaiye, stressed its wider social impact.
“EU-VACE TARED is about more than agriculture – it is about creating jobs, building resilience, and giving young Nigerians opportunities to thrive at home,” Olawaiye said.
The project is expected to support smallholder farmers and MSMEs with innovations and skills, improve access to finance and international markets, promote climate-smart practices, and create decent work opportunities for women, youth, and other marginalised groups.
