The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari has said that the current administration is focused on providing the necessary enabling environment for the private sector to take the lead in the avowed effort to achieve food sufficiency in Nigeria. He said this at the inaugural Farm, Food, and Allied Technologies (FARMFATECH) Expo in Abuja. Towards this end, the minister has appealed for large-scale investment in mechanised farming.
Senator Kyari, speaking at the event organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), Afreximbank, and Autodex Nigeria Limited, highlighted agriculture’s vital role in Nigeria’s economy and the people’s well-being.
He noted that such investments would expand the local market and create strong agribusiness linkages between farmers and investors.
Represented by the Director of Agribusiness and Market Development at FMAFS, Adegbenro Adebiyi, the minister pledged a level playing field for private investors.
“It is heart-warming that agriculture is fast becoming the buzz across trade and investment circles, particularly in the face of perennially dwindling oil prices and the FG’s desire to diversify the economy to boost productivity and the nation’s revenue base,” Kyari’s statement reads.
“The current policy on agriculture is to have the private sector in the driver’s seat, while the government provides an enabling environment to make agriculture a business and an investment haven, rather than a development program as in the past,” he continued.
“We will not relent in our efforts to create strong agribusiness linkages between farmers and processors, increase agricultural value addition, reduce post-harvest losses, and achieve food security and wealth creation,” the ministry assured.
Bushlink reported earlier that FARMFATECH aims to attract participants from 76 countries, with over 500 exhibitors and an expected audience of 500,000.
ACCI President Emeka Obegolu praised the expo’s potential to stimulate interest in agricultural innovation and strengthen partnerships, particularly between Nigeria and China.
“Agriculture is the heartbeat of our nation, providing livelihoods to millions, sustaining communities, and bolstering our economy. However, in today’s rapidly changing world, the sector faces challenges, from climate change and financing issues to fluctuating markets and the need for modern infrastructure and technology,” he stated.
“At the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, our interest lies in securing a robust economy by promoting and supporting sectors like agriculture that contribute substantially to our nation’s GDP. Through this expo, we aim to highlight investment opportunities in the agro-allied sector, engage policymakers, and support this vital industry,” Obegolu added.
Represented by Major General Isa Abdullahi, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, stated that these efforts would help address the 33 million Nigerians projected to face hunger by 2025.
“Nigeria is not alone in the struggle to attain food security. Agricultural activities are severely hampered by armed conflict and weather shocks due to climate change. In response to the imminent threat to food security, several countries worldwide have adopted a military approach as an emergency response,” Musa said.
“The prolonged unrest from insurgency, banditry, and farmer-herder clashes across regions has hindered farming. The DHQ has made operational arrangements to prioritise the protection of farmers’ successful harvests across the country,” he added.
“To address weather shocks, there’s a need to invest in agricultural infrastructure to support all-season farming. As the Federal Government focuses on cultivating over 10 million hectares of arable land across Nigeria, this expo provides an avenue to develop practical solutions for achieving the National Food Security Scheme,” Musa concluded.
