The Federal Government has injected over N200 billion into Nigeria’s agricultural sector to boost food production and attain national food security, according to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari.
In a statement released on Sunday, Kyari said the ministry has also distributed fertilisers worth over N2.15 million free of charge to farmers across the country.
“The Ministry has made significant strides by investing more than N200 billion in agricultural interventions. As part of this, we have given out fertilisers worth over N2.15 million at no cost to support farmers and improve crop yields nationwide,” Kyari said.
The minister also lauded the recent visit of a Gambian delegation, led by that country’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Security, Demba Sabally, who commended Nigeria’s progress in rice cultivation and expressed The Gambia’s interest in replicating Nigeria’s agricultural model.
Kyari emphasized that achieving food security has been a central goal of the current administration, especially in light of challenges posed by climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, and natural disasters.
“When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in 2023, he gave a clear directive: we must attain food security and sovereignty. This led to the renaming of the ministry to focus squarely on food security,” he said.
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He highlighted that the government’s collaboration with development partners such as the Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Bank has played a key role in improving agricultural production in the country.
The minister further noted progress in crop research, particularly in rice and wheat production.
“In 2023, we supported farmers with imported wheat seeds. Today, we have successfully developed our own varieties and cultivated nearly 500 metric tons without importing seeds. That’s a major achievement through our local research institutes,” he explained.
However, Kyari acknowledged ongoing issues with rice affordability and availability but stressed that the outgrower scheme has helped address some of the sector’s financing challenges.
“The outgrower programme is a strategic initiative for short-term financing, which supports smallholder farmers from planting to harvesting, typically within a four-to-five-month cycle,” he said.
On youth engagement in agriculture, Kyari stressed the need for mechanisation to attract younger Nigerians into the sector.
“We have enormous potential among our youth. However, the physically demanding nature of traditional farming discourages many. Mechanisation is crucial to reverse that trend,” he noted.
Speaking during his visit, Gambian Minister Demba Sabally praised Nigeria’s success in rice cultivation, irrigation, and post-harvest management.
“Gambia currently imports over 80 percent of its rice, which puts a strain on our economy. Nigeria’s progress in local rice production is impressive and we are eager to learn from their model,” Sabally said.
He also appealed for Nigeria’s support in designating a “Rice Ambassador” to assist The Gambia in achieving self-sufficiency in rice production.
The visit to Kebbi State by the Gambian team was part of efforts to study Nigeria’s rice farming strategies, including seed development, mechanisation, and packaging processes.
Kyari assured that Nigeria remains committed to sharing its agricultural innovations with other African countries in the spirit of regional cooperation and development.