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- Published on Monday, 25 May 2026 06:07
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CBN Agricultural Loan 2026: How Nigerian Farmers Can Access Up to ₦50 Million Funding
In 2026, Nigeria’s agricultural sector continues to receive strong support from the Federal Government through several financing programmes designed to help farmers and agribusiness owners grow. We currently have a lot of scheme created by the government to support farmers at every stage. One of the biggest opportunities currently available is the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF), managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The programme helps farmers and agribusiness operators access affordable agricultural loans through participating banks across Nigeria. With loan guarantees of up to 75%, the scheme reduces the risk for banks and makes it easier for farmers to secure funding for their agricultural projects.
Whether you are involved in crop farming, livestock production, fish farming, poultry, agro-processing, or agribusiness expansion, this programme can provide the financial support you need to grow your business. And it is easy to apply for without much stress. Farmers can apply for loan from less than ₦100,000 to ₦5,000,000
What is the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF)?
The Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) is a Federal Government agricultural financing programme created to improve access to loans for farmers and agribusiness owners in Nigeria. The scheme is managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria and works in partnership with commercial banks and microfinance banks.
Under the programme, banks provide loans to farmers while the Central Bank guarantees up to 75% of the loan in case of default. This guarantee by the Central Bank of Nigeria is what makes this loan easy and accessible by farmers and agricbusiness owners. It definitely encourages more financial institutions to support agricultural businesses.
The programme is part of Nigeria’s effort to:
- Improve food security
- Increase agricultural production
- Support smallholder farmers
- Create jobs in the agricultural sector
- Boost agribusiness development in Nigeria
Benefits of the CBN ACGSF Loan Programme
Farmers and agribusiness owners who qualify for the scheme can enjoy several benefits, including:
Access to Agricultural Loans
Applicants can access loans to:
- Expand farmland
- Purchase farming equipment
- Invest in livestock production
- Improve irrigation systems
- Finance agro-processing businesses
- Increase agricultural productivity
Loan Guarantee by the Federal Government
The scheme guarantees up to 75% of the outstanding loan balance, making banks more willing to approve agricultural loans.
Loan Amount Up to ₦50 Million
Qualified applicants can access:
- Up to ₦100,000 without collateral
- Up to ₦50 million with acceptable collateral and bank approval
Interest Rebate for Farmers
The interest rebate for farmers rewards farmers who repay their loans on time. They can qualify for a 40% interest rebate under the Interest Drawback Programme (IDP). This automatically saves a huge amount of money for farmers and agricbusiness owners. Unlike the loans from commercial banks which doesn't has such facility.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to Nigerians involved in agriculture and agribusiness, including:
- Smallholder farmers
- Poultry farmers
- Fish farmers
- Crop farmers
- Livestock farmers
- Agro-processing businesses
- Agricultural cooperatives
- Agribusiness entrepreneurs
Eligible Agricultural Activities
The ACGSF supports different agricultural value chain activities, such as:
Crop Production
- Rice farming
- Cassava farming
- Maize farming
- Vegetable farming
- Fruit farming
Livestock Farming
- Poultry farming
- Goat farming
- Cattle farming
- Pig farming
Fisheries
- Fish farming
- Aquaculture businesses
Agro-Processing
- Food processing
- Packaging
- Agricultural storage
- Farm produce processing
Requirements for the ACGSF Loan Application
Applicants may be required to provide:
- Valid means of identification
- Bank Verification Number (BVN)
- Business or farm details
- Loan application form
- Farm location information
- Business plan (for larger loans)
- Acceptable collateral for high-value loans
The lending bank may also conduct:
- Credit checks
- Site inspections
- Project verification before approval
How to Apply for the CBN Agricultural Loan 2026
Follow these steps to apply:
Step 1: Visit a Participating Bank
Go to any commercial bank or microfinance bank participating in the scheme.
Step 2: Request for ACGSF Loan
Inform the bank that you want to apply for the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF).
Step 3: Complete the Application Form
Fill out the required loan application form and submit the necessary documents.
Step 4: Bank Review and Verification
The bank will review your application and forward it to the appropriate CBN office for processing.
Step 5: Loan Approval and Disbursement
Successful applicants will receive funding through their bank accounts.
Licensed Commercial Banks in Nigeria for ACGSF Loan
Here are some of the major licensed banks and approved financial institutions in Nigeria where farmers and agribusiness owners can apply for the ACGSF agricultural loan programme managed by the Central Bank of Nigeria. (Central Bank of Nigeria)
These banks are regulated by the Central Bank of Nigeria and can process agricultural loan applications:
- Access Bank Plc
- Zenith Bank Plc
- First Bank of Nigeria
- United Bank for Africa
- Guaranty Trust Bank
- Fidelity Bank Plc
- Union Bank of Nigeria
- Sterling Bank Plc
- Stanbic IBTC Bank
- Wema Bank Plc
- Ecobank Nigeria
- Polaris Bank
- Keystone Bank
- Jaiz Bank Plc
- TAJBank
Approved Microfinance Banks (MFBs)
Many licensed microfinance banks also participate in agricultural financing and SME lending programmes. Examples include: (NDIC)
- LAPO Microfinance Bank
- NIRSAL Microfinance Bank
- Moniepoint Microfinance Bank
- Kuda Microfinance Bank
- VFD Microfinance Bank
- Carbon Microfinance Bank
- FairMoney Microfinance Bank
- AB Microfinance Bank
- Accion Microfinance Bank
- Renmoney Microfinance Bank
Development Finance Institutions (DFIs)
These institutions also support agricultural and SME financing in Nigeria:
- Bank of Industry
- Bank of Agriculture
- NIRSAL Plc
- Development Bank of Nigeria
Application Closing Date
At the moment, the Central Bank of Nigeria has not announced an official closing date for the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) application.
Interested applicants are advised to apply as early as possible because participating banks may have internal deadlines and limited funding allocations.
Official Registration Link
Applicants can get more information and begin the application process through the official CBN website:
CBN Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF)
Important Things to Know Before Applying
- Apply only through CBN-licensed banks and approved institutions
- Avoid agents demanding upfront “processing fees”
- Ensure your BVN and identification details are correct
- Prepare a simple business or farming plan
- Farmers with good repayment history may qualify for larger loans later
Related Grant Opportunities
You can also explore other grants, scholarships, and business funding opportunities available for Nigerians.
You may also be interested in:
-
WAWU Africa Opens Applications for ₦250,000 SME Grant for Nigerian Entrepreneurs
- FG TVET Scheme 2026: Earn ₦22,500 Monthly While Learning High-Income Skills in Nigeria
Applying for multiple opportunities can improve your chances of getting financial support for your business or education.
Conclusion
The CBN Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) remains one of the best agricultural loan opportunities available for Nigerian farmers and agribusiness owners in 2026. With loan access of up to ₦50 million, government-backed guarantees, and interest rebates for timely repayment, the programme offers real financial support for agricultural growth in Nigeria.
If you are serious about expanding your farm or agribusiness, this could be the opportunity you need to secure funding and scale your operations successfully.