Shettima urges more private investment in climate-smart agriculture

Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the private sector to intensify investment in climate-smart agriculture technologies that optimize productivity, minimize waste, and enhance efficiency across Nigeria’s food systems.

Speaking at a strategic workshop on agriculture and food security, jointly organized by the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU), the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), and the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), Shettima underscored the need for modern agricultural techniques as a pathway to building a resilient, market-driven food economy.

“We cannot afford outdated methods. The future of Nigeria’s food systems depends on how quickly we embrace innovation,” Shettima stated, reaffirming the government’s commitment to working with private-sector players to integrate digital solutions, regenerative farming practices, and climate-smart technologies.

The Vice President also acknowledged recent advancements in agricultural investment, citing the $4.3 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed in Brazil to boost fertilizer production, hybrid seed development, and access to agricultural credit.

Highlighting the urgency of agricultural modernization, Shettima warned that failure to adapt could exacerbate economic instability, urging agribusiness stakeholders to take decisive steps in adopting technology-driven and sustainable farming models.

The time for incremental progress is over. We need bold action, smart investments, and strategic partnerships to secure Nigeria’s food future,” he emphasized.

Also speaking at the workshop, the Managing Director of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Abubakar Ibrahim, reaffirmed the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment through policy reforms, financial incentives, and investment facilitation mechanisms. He noted that NADF is not just improving access to financing but is actively driving innovation and new agribusiness ventures to accelerate food security.
Source- Guardian

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
VP Shettima’s push for private-sector-led investment in climate-smart agriculture presents significant opportunities and challenges for agribusiness investors, farmers, and policymakers. For the sector to truly benefit from these initiatives, several critical factors must be addressed:

1. Scaling Up Climate-Smart Agriculture Requires Policy Stability
   While the government’s support for modern techniques and climate-smart solutions is commendable, investors need policy consistency and transparency. Fluctuating agricultural policies have often deterred long-term private-sector investment. Stakeholders must push for clear, stable regulations that incentivize agribusiness expansion.
2. $4.3 Billion MoU: A Game Changer or Unrealized Potential?
   The MoU with Brazil promises major investments in fertilizer production, hybrid seeds, and agricultural financing, but how effectively these funds will be deployed remains unclear. Agri-food stakeholders must demand structured implementation plans, ensuring that funds directly impact farmers, processors, and agribusiness entrepreneurs rather than being lost in bureaucratic inefficiencies.
3. Technology Adoption Requires Accessibility, Not Just Advocacy
   Shettima’s call for digital solutions and precision farming is vital, but without access to affordable financing and infrastructure, smallholder farmers will struggle to adopt these innovations. Agribusiness leaders must explore private-public partnerships (PPPs) that make climate-smart inputs and mechanization tools more accessible to small and mid-scale farmers.
4. Private-Sector Financing Must Extend Beyond Large Corporations
   The NADF’s pledge to catalyze innovation and unlock new investment opportunities should focus on empowering small and medium-sized agribusinesses, not just large-scale enterprises. Stakeholders should advocate for agriculture-focused financial products that are farmer-friendly, with lower interest rates and longer repayment terms.

Final Takeaway: A Call for Actionable Strategies
VP Shettima’s remarks set the right vision for Nigeria’s agricultural transformation, but execution remains the key challenge. To translate policy statements into tangible impact, agribusiness players must:

1. Engage actively in shaping policy reforms to ensure long-term stability.
2. Hold government agencies accountable for transparent implementation of climate-smart initiatives.
3. Build strategic partnerships to integrate modern agricultural innovations across Nigeria’s food systems.
4. Ensure financing mechanisms prioritize inclusive growth, benefiting not just large firms but also smallholder farmers and SMEs.