Impact of Anchor Borrower Rice Programme on Food Security in Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Food security is crucial for sustaining life and ensuring a healthy and productive population. As such, the Nigerian government has implemented various strategies to ensure food security in terms of accessibility, affordability, and availability. However, efforts have intensified to combat challenges which discouraging local food production and restricting massive production of certain agricultural product to support the agricultural sector. Amid economic difficulties, the Anchor Borrower’s Programme was initiated in 2015 to revitalize the economy, although initial skepticism existed due to past failures of similar initiatives. Recognizing the need to support locally grown crops, the programme aims to prevent adverse economic effects and strengthen the nation’s economic and agricultural sectors. Therefore, this study focused on the impact of the Anchor Borrowers Programme on smallholder rice farmers in Nasarawa State, using the Endogenous Growth Theory as a theoretical framework. Employing a survey research design, the study utilized questionnaires, interviews, and a review of existing literature to gather primary and secondary data. Analysis revealed that the programme effectively increased accessibility to rice, a staple food, through affordable rates, thus contributing significantly to food security within the state. Moreover, it successfully boosted local rice production, reducing reliance on imports and potentially generating surplus for distribution to other regions, bolstering food security efforts at both local and national levels. By providing credit facilities and essential farm inputs, the programme supported agricultural activities, encouraging increased production and enhancing food availability within Nasarawa State. Based on the above findings, the paper recommends prioritizing and investing in initiatives that promote local rice production and affordability, sustaining and expanding programme success, and further supporting local farmers to enhance productivity and production efficiency. This would reinforce efforts towards improving food availability, accessibility, and stability, and fortifying food security for residents of Nasarawa State, Nigeria.