How Taraba Farmers Will Benefit From N500 Billion “Produce for Lagos” Deal

In what is being hailed as a turning point for agriculture in Taraba State, Governor Agbu Kefas has positioned the state at the forefront of a historic new deal aimed at transforming food production and distribution in Nigeria. The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Lagos State Government under the "Produce for Lagos" initiative promises to deliver direct, tangible benefits to Taraba's long-neglected farming communities. 

For decades, Taraba's farmers—many of whom work the fertile soils of Karim-Lamido, Gassol, Wukari, Bali, and other agrarian belts—have battled with poor infrastructure, limited access to credit, and most of all, the absence of a stable and profitable market. Despite producing food in large quantities, much of their harvest ends up wasted or sold at exploitative prices due to lack of storage and transportation. Now, that narrative is beginning to change.

Governor Agbu Kefas, who has consistently championed agricultural revitalization since assuming office, made a bold move by signing Taraba into the N500 billion "Produce for Lagos" offtake guarantee fund. The initiative, spearheaded by the Lagos State Government, is designed to link food-producing states like Taraba directly with Lagos—Nigeria's largest food market—through a coordinated supply chain that ensures farmers are paid fairly and promptly.

"This is not just a policy," said Kefas at the signing event in Lagos. "It's a promise that the sweat of our farmers will no longer go to waste. Taraba has the land, the labor, and the potential to feed this country—and now we have the market to match it."

Speaking on the development, Zanau Hassan Maikasuwa, Special Adviser to the Taraba State Governor on Agriculture and Food Security, noted that for decades, farmers across Taraba have toiled to grow food not just for their communities but for the country at large. Yet, despite Taraba's fertile soil and abundant harvests, farmers have struggled with one persistent challenge: getting their produce to a stable, profitable market. This is now changing.

A key element of Taraba's participation is the proposed establishment of the Taraba Aggregation Company, a state-backed entity that will purchase produce directly from farmers, manage storage, and ensure efficient transportation to Lagos. By cutting out the middlemen who have long profited off the labor of rural farmers, the company will guarantee fair pricing and prompt payment. Cold-chain logistics, including refrigerated trucks powered by LPG, will be deployed to prevent post-harvest losses and preserve food quality.

Governor Kefas's administration has already begun laying the groundwork. Plans are underway to build new farm estates, improve rural access roads, and construct modern storage facilities across key agricultural zones in the state. Farmers will also receive technical training on best practices in cultivation, food safety, and traceability—paving the way for increased productivity and compliance with national and international standards.

More importantly, the initiative offers farmers something they've rarely had: predictability. A yam farmer in Zing or a tomato grower in Gembu will now plant with confidence, knowing there's a ready market in Lagos with transparent pricing and logistics support.

Governor Kefas's inclusion of Taraba in this program is already generating optimism across the state's agricultural communities. Many see it as a vindication of his grassroots-focused leadership and his campaign promise to reposition Taraba as a food basket not just for the region, but for Nigeria.

At the official launch in Lagos, where six other governors were present, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Oluacknowledged Taraba's strategic importance in the success of the initiative. He emphasized that Lagos, a state with a food economy worth over N16 trillion, loses nearly half of its food due to poor logistics and informal supply chains. The "Produce for Lagos" program, he said, is a strategic response to those challenges—and Taraba is now a key part of the solution.

While the Lagos government will manage the logistics through the Lagos Food Systems Infrastructure Company (LAFSINCO) and other supporting bodies, Taraba's role is central to the supply side. The N500 billion fund will serve as a safety net for farmers and offtakers alike, reducing risks and encouraging private investment.

Private sector leaders, including Tony Elumelu of Heirs Holdings and UBA, have thrown their weight behind the initiative. Elumelu announced a N25 billion commitment to support the fund and emphasized agriculture's role in tackling unemployment—a challenge Governor Kefas has consistently addressed as part of his youth-focused development agenda.

The federal government has also welcomed the partnership, with the Minister of State for Finance, Doris Aniete, describing it as a "model for food sovereignty" that aligns with President Tinubu'sRenewed Hope Agenda.

For Taraba, however, the deal is more than a national talking point. It is a lifeline for thousands of smallholder farmers. It is a pathway to rural development, youth employment, and economic diversification. It is also a bold reaffirmation that under Governor Kefas's leadership, Taraba is no longer waiting on the sidelines of Nigeria's development story.

The real work now lies in implementation—ensuring that the Aggregation Company is swiftly operational, that transport and storage infrastructure is built to standard, and that farmers receive the support they need to scale up production. If successful, Taraba will not only feed Lagos—it will feed the future.