Nigeria close to achieving food security – Minister

The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that every Nigerian has access to abundant and nutritious food, leveraging dry season farming as a critical pillar for national food security. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, reaffirmed this stance at the launch of the 2025 Dry Season Farming Programme and the distribution of Ramadan palliatives in Kebbi State.

The event, which took place in Birnin Kebbi, saw the Kebbi State Government roll out critical support for farmers, including thousands of water pumping machines, sprayers, power tillers, herbicides, pesticides, and organic fertilizers. Governor Nasir Idris, who led the distribution, emphasized that his administration remains committed to tackling the challenges associated with dry season farming to mitigate food production constraints.

Speaking at the launch, Minister Kyari highlighted that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has continued to create an enabling environment for farmers to boost agricultural yields, with food security now appearing “on the horizon.” He commended Kebbi State’s proactive approach in supporting agricultural development, particularly in achieving bumper harvests and stabilizing food prices.

Governor Idris recalled that his administration had previously launched the KADAGE agricultural programme, aligning with President Tinubu’s broader policy direction to revolutionize Nigeria’s agricultural sector. He further acknowledged the approval for 15,000 flood-affected farmers in Kebbi to utilize residual moisture for farming, a move aimed at mitigating the impact of natural disasters on food production.
Source- Tribune

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The Federal Government’s focus on dry season farming is a well-calculated step toward achieving food security, but its success depends on more than just input distribution. Several key factors must be addressed to ensure long-term impact and sustainability.

• Irrigation Infrastructure and Water Resource Management
  Dry season farming thrives on irrigation, and while the distribution of water pumps is commendable, the broader challenge remains access to reliable water sources. Many farming communities in Nigeria still struggle with inadequate irrigation infrastructure, leading to water inefficiency and high operational costs. To maximize this initiative, investments in irrigation canals, solar-powered boreholes, and modern water management systems are crucial.

Strategic Recommendation:
– Expand access to large-scale irrigation systems such as the River Basin Development Authorities.
– Promote water conservation techniques like drip irrigation to minimize wastage.
– Train farmers on best practices in efficient water usage.

• Mechanization and Farm Productivity
  The provision of power tillers and sprayers is a step in the right direction, but widespread mechanization remains limited in many farming communities. Traditional farming methods contribute to low productivity and higher labor costs.

Strategic Recommendation:
– Develop affordable financing schemes for farmers to access mechanized tools beyond government-distributed inputs.
– Encourage private sector participation in leasing and mechanization services to smallholder farmers.
– Promote the adoption of precision agriculture to optimize farm inputs.

• Input Accessibility and Quality Assurance
  While the government is supplying fertilizers, herbicides, and improved seeds, the key question is quality assurance and accessibility. Farmers often struggle with counterfeit or substandard inputs, which affect yields and overall profitability. Additionally, effective last-mile distribution must be ensured so that inputs reach the intended beneficiaries.

Strategic Recommendation:
– Strengthen quality control mechanisms for agricultural inputs by enforcing strict regulatory standards.
– Establish a transparent input distribution framework to prevent diversion and ensure genuine farmers receive support.
– Introduce digital tracking systems to monitor input allocation and usage.

• Post-Harvest Management and Market Linkages
  Increased production without proper post-harvest management leads to significant food losses, particularly in crops like rice, millet, and vegetables. Many Nigerian farmers face challenges in storage, processing, and access to structured markets. Without market access, surplus production from dry season farming could lead to gluts, affecting farm-gate prices.

Strategic Recommendation:
– Develop modern storage facilities and aggregation centers close to farming clusters.
– Strengthen linkages between farmers and processors to absorb excess production.
– Introduce structured market systems such as commodity exchanges and contract farming.

• Climate Resilience and Sustainability
  The approval for 15,000 flood-affected farmers in Kebbi to use residual moisture for farming is a notable intervention. However, climate variability remains a major challenge. Dry season farming initiatives should integrate climate-resilient strategies to ensure long-term sustainability.

Strategic Recommendation:
– Promote climate-smart agricultural practices, such as drought-resistant crop varieties.
– Support research into adaptive technologies for dry season farming.
– Develop policies that encourage sustainable land and water use practices.

The recent intervention by the Federal Government is a positive step, but Nigeria must shift from viewing dry season farming as an emergency response to making it a core part of national food production. A holistic approach—integrating irrigation, mechanization, input regulation, market structures, and climate adaptation—will be necessary to achieve lasting food security.

For agribusiness stakeholders, this presents opportunities in farm equipment leasing, agro-input supply chains, irrigation solutions, storage infrastructure, and agritech innovations. Moving forward, policy consistency and private sector collaboration will determine the overall success of this initiative.