By Brandon Moss

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) has launched the Resilient and Inclusive Agri-Food Systems Empowering Women and Youth in Nigeria (RISE) project, a five-year initiative supported by Global Affairs Canada, aimed at strengthening agricultural value chains and creating 8,000 jobs across northern Nigeria.

Implemented by MEDA, the project will focus on building resilient agri-food systems while placing women and youth at the centre of agricultural transformation. RISE is expected to directly support 12,500 smallholder farmers through improved access to finance, climate-smart agricultural practices, and stronger market linkages. In addition, the initiative will strengthen 450 women- and youth-led enterprises, empower 250 farmer cooperatives, and indirectly reach an estimated 50,000 people across the region.

Focus on Key Northern States and Value Chains

The RISE project will operate in Bauchi, Kaduna, and Kano states, targeting key staple and cash crop value chains including rice, maize, groundnut, and soybean—all critical to food security and rural livelihoods in northern Nigeria.

Three-Pillar Approach

The initiative will be implemented through a three-pillar strategy:

1. Boosting productivity and incomes for smallholder farmers through climate-smart agricultural practices;
2. Improving the competitiveness of women- and youth-led agribusinesses by expanding access to finance, technology, and business development services; and
3. Promoting inclusive leadership and social change by addressing harmful social norms and strengthening participation within cooperatives and agribusiness ecosystems.

Stakeholder Engagement at Project Launch

The project launch brought together key stakeholders from government, the private sector, financial institutions, women’s associations, and local cooperatives to discuss barriers and opportunities across the targeted value chains.

MEDA’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Diaka Sall, said the RISE project represents a deeper commitment to inclusive agricultural development.

“With RISE, we are moving further and deeper. The project will strengthen agri-food systems in Bauchi, Kaduna and Kano states, improve resilience to climate and economic shocks, and expand opportunities for smallholder farmers, cooperatives and agribusinesses,” Sall said.

She emphasised that women and youth are positioned not merely as beneficiaries, but as leaders and drivers of agricultural ecosystem transformation.

Canada Reaffirms Support for Nigeria’s Agriculture

Canada’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, Pasquale Salvaggio, reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to Nigeria’s agricultural growth, describing agriculture as a critical driver of economic development, gender equality, and poverty reduction.

“By empowering women and youth, we are creating decent jobs, strengthening economies and building resilient and sustainable food systems,” Salvaggio said.

Broad Partnership Model

The RISE project is co-designed and implemented by MEDA in partnership with Sahel Consulting, Development Exchange Centre, Emeraid Capital, Extension Africa, Women in Business Forum, and the Federation of Muslim Women’s Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN).

The launch event also featured panel discussions moderated by MEDA and Sahel Consulting, with representation from women farmers, including Dr. Aishatu Usman.

Senior government officials in attendance included the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, along with commissioners responsible for agriculture, women affairs, and economic planning from Bauchi, Kano, and Kaduna states.

Outlook

The RISE initiative reflects growing momentum around inclusive, climate-resilient agricultural development in Nigeria, with a strong emphasis on job creation, enterprise growth, and long-term food system resilience in the country’s northern regions.