FG urges shift from subsistence to industrial agriculture
The Federal Government of Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming the nation’s agriculture sector from a subsistence-based system into a fully industrialized agribusiness sector that drives economic growth and food security. This was the central message at the Presidential Roundtable on Agribusiness, where key stakeholders gathered to discuss policies and strategies for repositioning Nigeria as Africa’s agribusiness hub.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized that the government is shifting its approach to agriculture from being a social program to a high-value economic enterprise. Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he stated that agriculture must be treated as a business, leveraging Nigeria’s 200-million-strong market and access to 1.4 billion consumers under AfCFTA to create wealth and enhance food security.
With the state of emergency on food security declared by the government, Kyari highlighted the crucial role of private-sector investments, mechanization, and large-scale value addition in ensuring sustainable food production. He noted that the Agribusiness Productivity Enhancement and Management Office has been launched to facilitate strategic interventions and targeted coordination in the sector.
Vice President Kashim Shettima’s representative, Kingsley Uzoma, pointed out that mechanization, access to credit, and youth engagement are essential for year-round food production and stabilizing food prices. He assured that with increased production, commodity prices are expected to decline in the coming weeks.
The Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG) also reaffirmed its support for the government’s agenda. Kabir Ibrahim, President of NABG, praised the administration’s efforts in mechanization, extension services, and access to credit through the capitalization of the Bank of Agriculture. NABG’s Director-General, Jafar Umar, described the roundtable as a vital step in bridging the gap between policy and private sector realities, ensuring that Nigeria strengthens its agribusiness competitiveness in regional markets.
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation also commended NABG for its Commodity Aggregation Group initiative, particularly in Argungu, where rice farmers are being provided with quality seeds and fertilizers. The foundation urged NABG to expand innovative farmer empowerment programs and accelerate the adoption of fortified foods to combat micronutrient deficiencies among Nigerians, especially children.
With strong government backing, private-sector participation, and international collaboration, Nigeria’s agricultural sector is on the path to becoming a key driver of economic transformation.
Source- Guardian
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The government’s push for an industrialized agribusiness sector presents significant opportunities and challenges for farmers, investors, policymakers, and agribusiness players. Key takeaways from this development include:
- Increased Private-Sector Investment Opportunities – With the government treating agriculture as a high-value economic enterprise, investors and agribusiness players should explore value chain investments in mechanization, processing, and storage.
- Enhanced Market Expansion Through AfCFTA – Nigeria’s strategic positioning in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) offers agri-food stakeholders a platform to expand exports and improve regional competitiveness.
- Mechanization and Workforce Development – The emphasis on modern agricultural techniques and youth engagement highlights the need for training programs, skill acquisition, and increased access to mechanized farming tools to boost productivity.
- Improved Access to Agricultural Financing – The capitalization of the Bank of Agriculture signals an opportunity for farmers and agripreneurs to leverage new funding mechanisms, improving access to credit for farm expansion and agribusiness ventures.
- Commodity Price Stability and Food Security – With the government working on increasing food production, stakeholders should anticipate more structured supply chains, improved food availability, and greater price stability in the coming months.
- Innovative Farmer Support Programs – The Commodity Aggregation Group initiative in Argungu is an example of how structured support for farmers can improve productivity. Similar models should be replicated across other agricultural regions to enhance value chain efficiency.
- Nutrition and Value-Added Products – The push for food fortification opens opportunities for agripreneurs to invest in nutrient-enriched products, aligning with global food security and health standards.
As Nigeria transitions to an agribusiness-driven economy, stakeholders must leverage innovation, partnerships, and policy alignment to maximize the potential of this evolving landscape.
