By Atoyebi Nike
The National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser, has launched an agribusiness initiative, Seeds for Hope, to empower former combatants and vulnerable communities in terrorism-affected areas.
The programme, introduced in Abuja in partnership with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), provides farmland, training, mentorship, and market access to beneficiaries, including those from the federal government’s Disarmament, Deradicalization, and Reintegration programme.
NCTC Coordinator Adamu Laka said the project reflects a shift towards non-kinetic counter-terrorism, stressing that economic opportunities are vital to preventing extremist relapse. He noted that agriculture offers greater poverty reduction potential than other sectors.
Six states will host the pilot phase following a May MoU between NCTC and IITA. Lawmaker Sadiq Tafida pledged legislative support, while IITA’s Abdoulaye Tahirau said the project aims to build resilient agricultural value chains in conflict zones.
