The Federal Government has urged the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) to explore innovative financing mechanisms and blended finance arrangements to reduce risks associated with agricultural lending. He urged the board to strengthen collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, state governments and development partners. He said agriculture under the Renewed Hope Agenda was being repositioned beyond food production to support food security, economic diversification, employment generation and industrialization. In his remarks, Muhammad Babangida, Chairman of the BOA Board, said the bank occupied a strategic position in Nigeria’s economic development. He said the bank’s effectiveness had a direct bearing on farmers, agribusinesses, rural communities, food production, employment and national food security.