NCA unveils sustainable food security strategic plans at C’River summit
In a concerted effort to address pressing challenges in the agricultural sector and support smallholder farmers, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has unveiled a comprehensive development strategy aimed at enhancing agricultural productivity and revenues. This initiative was introduced during the 46th National Council on Agriculture and Food Security meeting, themed “Resilience to Climate Change Towards Sustainable Food Security,” held on November 11, 2024, in Calabar, Cross River State.
Opening the session, Temitope Fashedemi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, underscored agriculture’s vital role in Nigeria’s economic recovery and growth. Fashedemi emphasized collaborative agribusiness efforts, noting that the ministry is committed to supporting farmers, researchers, and processors through incentives designed to increase agricultural output and meet national food demands. Key to these efforts are strategies to promote sectoral linkages, import substitution, value-added processing, and export-focused activities, which aim to create a robust commodity value chain across the nation.
Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, Ibrahim Tanimu, highlighted the Council meeting as a valuable opportunity for sharing best practices in value chain development, tailored to Nigeria’s unique ecological landscapes. Tanimu encouraged states to foster enabling environments for value chain initiatives, critical to ensuring food security nationwide.
In his welcome address, Johnson Ebokpo, Cross River State’s Commissioner for Agriculture, reaffirmed the importance of food security within both the national Renewed Hope Agenda and Cross River’s “People’s First Agenda.” He urged attendees to address the urgent challenges posed by climate change, with a collective commitment to building resilience within the agricultural sector.
Source- Punch
Expert Analysis for Agri-Food Stakeholders:
The Ministry’s newly outlined strategy marks a significant and forward-looking shift towards a more resilient and economically sustainable agribusiness landscape in Nigeria. By prioritizing smallholder farmers as the cornerstone of its policy framework, the government demonstrates a commitment to addressing critical issues such as rural poverty and economic instability. Empowering this demographic promises not only improved yields and income for farmers but also broader socio-economic benefits for the nation.
Strategic Commodity Value Chain Development
The emphasis on developing commodity value chains aligns with global best practices and is a strategic step toward boosting Nigeria’s agricultural competitiveness in international markets. By focusing on value-added agricultural products, Nigeria can secure a stronger foothold in export markets while enhancing the profitability of its agribusiness sector.
Moreover, initiatives to strengthen sectoral linkages and promote import substitution are pivotal. These strategies aim to reduce the country’s overdependence on imported food items, bolstering local agribusinesses, stimulating job creation, and fostering economic self-sufficiency.
Climate Resilience and Sustainable Agriculture
Climate resilience, a key theme of the Ministry’s strategy, addresses one of the most pressing challenges facing Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The increasing frequency of climate-induced disruptions, such as erratic rainfall patterns and extreme weather events, poses significant threats to food security and rural livelihoods.
To mitigate these risks, stakeholders must embrace sustainable practices and climate adaptation strategies. This includes adopting climate-smart agricultural techniques, such as efficient water use, improved crop varieties, and conservation agriculture. Policies that support the integration of these practices will be critical in safeguarding the sector’s productivity and resilience.
Opportunities for Stakeholders
The Ministry’s initiative creates a fertile ground for stakeholders to explore new opportunities in investment, innovation, and partnerships. Specific areas of interest include:
1. Crop Diversification: Encouraging the cultivation of a broader range of crops to enhance food security and reduce dependency on single commodities.
2. Climate-Smart Agriculture: Investing in technologies and practices that increase productivity while minimizing environmental impacts.
3. Processing Industries: Developing local processing capacities to add value to raw agricultural outputs and create export-ready products.
Close collaboration with state and federal agencies will enable stakeholders to access incentives, technical support, and financing options. Such partnerships are essential to maximizing the positive impacts of this strategy on agricultural productivity, food security, and economic resilience in Nigeria.
The Ministry’s strategy presents a well-rounded approach to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector. By fostering an environment of collaboration and innovation, the framework sets the stage for sustainable growth, improved livelihoods, and a competitive edge in global markets. For agri-food stakeholders, engaging with this vision presents a unique opportunity to contribute to and benefit from a thriving agricultural economy.
