The UK-funded agricultural initiative Propcom+ has set a goal of improving the incomes of four million Nigerians by 2030.
Backed by £95m from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the programme aims to enhance agricultural productivity and resilience in rural Nigeria while leveraging an additional £122m in private sector funding.
Launched in 2023, Propcom+ seeks to address challenges in agriculture by increasing access to bio-fortified seeds, improving veterinary vaccination services, and strengthening agribusiness operations.
Speaking in Kano at a learning event for agribusiness stakeholders, Dr. Adiya Ode, Political Director and Country Representative for Propcom+, reiterated the programme’s mission to transform the rural economy while tackling environmental and resource-related conflicts.
“We are implementing for 8 years. We are in our second year and the program will close in 2030.
“By the time the programme closes, we hope to have impacted the lives and improved the incomes of four million Nigerians.
“That’s an ambitious target but we know that working with our partners, we can achieve this target.
“We also have a financial target. We hope that the funding for Propcom+, which is £95 million, would leverage £122 million in private financing,” she said.
Ode explained that Propcom+ employs a market systems development approach by working through market actors and agribusiness stakeholders rather than directly intervening.
She described this as a more sustainable strategy for fostering long-term growth in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The Kano State Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Danjuma Yankatsari, commended the initiative, noting its alignment with other agricultural development programmes such as those supported by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Islamic Development Bank.
He added that Propcom+ has provided critical support to small-scale farmers and women to mitigate environmental hazards and improve access to modern farming techniques, irrigation facilities, climate-resilient seeds, and farming equipment.
Propcom+ Strategy Director, Mr. Olamide Ojo, noted that the programme is scaling up several innovative models, including community-based seed multiplication and veterinary services.
He expressed optimism that the efforts would positively impact at least 4 million Nigerians through improvement in their incomes.
The event also featured panel discussions on challenges and opportunities in scaling Propcom+ initiatives, with emphasis on public-private partnerships, community engagement, and funding strategies.