News Agency of Nigeria
FG intensifies moves to further crash prices of food items
Food Security

FG intensifies moves to further crash prices of food items

Food

By Kingsley Okoye

President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to further crash prices of food items across the country.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi stated  this on Wednesday in Abuja, while presenting a paper at a one- day capacity building workshop for journalists covering the Senate.

Abdullahi said the president’s order would be enforced to further crash prices of food items by ensuring the safe passage of products through various routes across the country.

He emphasised that the committee’s action was aimed at realising Tinubu’s vision on food sovereignty.

According to Abdullahi, the Federal Government was fully committed to addressing the high prices of transportation of farm produce in the country.

He said, “I can say it on good authority to you that the president has given a matching order with a federal executive council committee already handling it.

” On how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country.

“We are aware, and I’m sure as media, you are also aware, there are routes through which commodities are taken before they are delivered.

“If you know the amount of money that is being spent, you can now understand why those commodities have to be expensive at the point of delivery.

” So, we are working very hard,we are doing quite a lot. But I’ve just given you a snippet because I’m here, and I felt we should look at that.”

Abdullahi explained that the vision for food sovereignty was within the ambit of food security and food sufficiency which encompassed availability of food, accessibility as well as affordability, and in right nutritional content on a sustainable basis.

According to him, other programmes such as the ‘Farmer Soil Health Scheme and Cooperative Reform’ were also awaiting implementation .

” We are having what you call the Farmer Soil Health Scheme. And that is ready for launch,we are just waiting for the date.

“Mr President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation and to improve the livelihood of members.

“And you know the principle of cooperative is clear, is democratic, yet it is also very productive. And so we are reforming this.

” There is a number of things we are doing there and I will urge you, as a press corps, to consider forming a cooperative,” he said .

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the workshop, with the theme: “Parliamentary Reporting : Issues , Challenges and Responsibilities also had as resource person the Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs Sen.Yemi Adaramodu.

Other resource persons included Sen. Ita Enang and Director-General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies ( NILDS), Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Shuaib Sadiq/Bashir Rabe Mani

Nigeria Agric Expo showcases innovation, inclusivity
Agriculture , Food Security

Nigeria Agric Expo showcases innovation, inclusivity

By Akpan Glory

Mr Abiodun Olaniyi, Project Coordinator of the Nigeria International Agriculture Expo (NIAEXPO 2025), says the annual fair showcases Nigeria’s agricultural potential and builds stronger partnerships across the value chain.

Olaniyi, who is also Executive Director of Agriquest Africa Network, said this at the opening of the seventh edition of the expo in Abuja on Tuesday.

He said the event attracted participants from Indonesia, China, India, the United States, Canada and several Nigerian states, including Lagos and Rivers.

Olaniyi said the expo provided a platform to showcase Nigeria’s agricultural potential and promote innovations by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

“We saw a wide range of innovations from SMEs and MSMEs. International exhibitors also brought unique solutions, including organic farming practices, agroecology models and locally assembled electric vehicles for agro-logistics by firms like Simba.

“These are important steps toward solving challenges in the agricultural value chain,” he said.

Olaniyi said the 2025 edition highlighted Nigeria’s prospects of achieving its 2030 agricultural vision through sustainable practices and inclusive participation.

He explained that the organisers hosted the expo in Abuja to attract policymakers and stakeholders from across the country.

He added: “I don’t believe in problems; I see challenges. For every challenge, there is a solution, and that solution can create business opportunities. With every edition, we learn, adjust and improve”.

Olaniyi said the inclusion of persons with disabilities in this year’s edition showed the organisers’ commitment to inclusivity.

He expressed confidence that the 2026 edition would expand the scope of the expo and deliver greater impact across the value chain.

Earlier, Mr Tony Ifeakandu, Managing Director of Autodex Nigeria Ltd., said his company showcased a locally assembled electric tricycle to provide affordable transport solutions for farmers.

He said the firm would in November host the Farm, Machinery, Food, Agro Technology Expo and Conference (FAMFATEC) to bring together stakeholders in agriculture, finance and export.

“The event will feature AfriExim Bank and U.S. Exim Bank, who will discuss export financing and challenges facing Nigerian products in global markets,” he said.

Ifeakandu said the expo would also address organic farming, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and strategies to revive Nigerian agriculture.

He identified logistics as one of the biggest challenges in the sector, noting that high transport costs push up food prices.

“If we can reduce the cost of moving farm produce to the market, we will reduce food prices. Our goal is to provide alternatives to what already exists in the marketplace,” he said.

Dr Rohit Berry, Chairman of Contec Global Agro Limited (CGAL), said the company was promoting biological products to boost food security and reduce health risks from chemical farming.

Berry said high chemical residues had denied many Nigerian agricultural products access to international markets.

He said CGAL had developed 23 bio-products to fight crop diseases such as rice blight, tuta absoluta, armyworm and black pod disease.

He added that the company had established more than 250,000 demonstration farms across the country, tested the products with Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and registered them with NAFDAC.

Berry, whose company has operated in Nigeria for over 40 years, urged the Federal Government to support agro-initiatives that would unlock Nigeria’s vast arable land for sustainable food production.

Also, Minister of Livestock Development, Mr Idi Maiha, reaffirmed government’s commitment to repositioning the livestock sector for global competitiveness.

Maiha, represented by Dr Alike Peter, Director, Technical, at the ministry, described agriculture as the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, providing livelihoods, food security and GDP growth.

He said the ministry had developed the Nigeria Livestock Growth Acceleration Strategy (NL-GAS).

“It harmonises existing livestock policies, including the National Livestock Transformation Plan and the Presidential Livestock Reforms Implementation Committee report”.

He said the NL-GAS set 10 pillars with measurable indicators to grow the livestock sector from 32 billion dollars in 2025 to 74 billion dollars by 2035, driven by private sector investment and subnational government support.

Also speaking, Dr Mohammed Ishaq, Executive Director of the National Cereal Research Institute (NCRI), Badeggi, said the institute had developed new rice varieties for nationwide adoption.

He urged stakeholders to seek licensing and collaboration, stressing that Nigeria’s rice production still falls short of demand despite government’s self-sufficiency drive.

“We must increase productivity and expand the adoption of improved seeds. NCRI is committed to driving that process,” Ishaq said. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

Mercy Corps empowers 9,383 ginger farmers in Kaduna
Agriculture , Food Security

Mercy Corps empowers 9,383 ginger farmers in Kaduna

By Felicia Imohimi

Mercy Corps says it has empowered 9,383 ginger farmers in Kaduna State through its Empowering Resilient Ginger Farmers (ERGF) project, aimed at boosting productivity and improving livelihoods.

Mr Ismail Rilwan, Programme Manager, Mercy Corps, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the closeout meeting of the project with LAPO Microfinance Bank.

He said the project, supported by donor TAZO, began in March 2023 and will run until August 2025 across four local government areas of Southern Kaduna.

They are; Kachia, Jaba, Sanga and Jemaa, known as the “ginger triangle”.

Rilwan noted that Nigeria is the world’s second-largest producer of ginger, with Kaduna contributing about 90 per cent of national output.

“Despite this advantage, farmers face recurring crop diseases, high input costs and limited access to finance.

“The ERGF project was initiated to address these gaps, increase yields and promote financial stability,” he said.

He explained that the project was designed to support smallholder farmers, especially women, to overcome long-standing challenges in ginger cultivation.

According to him, the programme seeks to empower at least 51 per cent female farmers by raising productivity and income, while building resilience to agricultural and economic shocks.

He said the two main objectives were to boost production through improved seed systems and sustainable practices, and to enhance financial inclusion through training and access to credit facilities.

Rilwan identified weak seed systems, labour-intensive processes, recurring diseases and poor access to finance as major constraints confronting ginger farmers.

He said Mercy Corps was working with several partners, including the Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, Kaduna Agricultural Development Agency, and Kaduna State University.

Others were Octavio Development Company, Co-Funds, LAPO Microfinance Bank, Bank of Agriculture, Salama Radio, Rockside FM, Nigerian Export Promotion Council and Incorporated International Development.

“Already, yields have improved from the average 5–12 tons per hectare to approach the 38 tons per hectare potential under optimal conditions,” he said.

He added that farmers had gained better access to loans, while women were increasingly participating in agribusiness and decision-making within their communities.

On lessons from the 2023 ginger disease outbreak, which caused an estimated N10 billion loss, Rilwan said: “There were early signs and symptoms, but they went unnoticed”.

“Going forward, we must strengthen extension services and establish an early warning system to detect and contain such outbreaks before they spread”.

Also speaking, Mr John Ogbebor, Agriculture Business Manager, LAPO Microfinance Bank, said lack of access to credit remained a major barrier for Nigerian farmers.

“Many farmers face bottlenecks such as tedious processes, high interest rates and long delays. Some wait for months, and in extreme cases, even years before loans are disbursed,” Ogbebor said.

He said his bank, in partnership with Mercy Corps, had disbursed N48 million to 305 farmers in Kaduna State, including 170 women.

According to him, the loans covered farm inputs, labour and other value chain expenses, with flexible repayment terms tied to the ginger harvest cycle.

“The farmers were given a grace period until harvest before repayment, and loan terms were adjusted to match the gestational period of ginger,” he said.

He stressed that sustainability and inclusion were key to achieving long-term impact.

“Inclusion is about bringing more people into the value chain and the financing sector, including women and cooperatives. That is how we build resilience and shared prosperity,” he added.

NAN reports that Mercy Corps operates in more than 20 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Portland, United States.

In Nigeria, its thematic areas include Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Food Security and Livelihoods; Economic Opportunity; and Peace and Good Governance.

Highlight of the meeting was a panel discussion on Financial Inclusion and Resilience: Driving Shared Prosperity in Nigeria. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

FirstBank lauds FG’s robust agriculture agenda
Agriculture , Food Security

FirstBank lauds FG’s robust agriculture agenda

By Mercy Omoike

First Bank of Nigeria Ltd., has applauded the Federal Government’s efforts in boosting Nigeria’s agriculture agenda for food sovereignty.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of First Bank Nigeria Ltd., Mr Olusegun Alebiosu, said this at the bank’s 2025 Agric & Export Expo on Tuesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the FirstBank 2025 Agric & Export Expo with the theme: “The Fundamentals of Building an Export-Driven Economy,” is aimed at boosting non-oil exports.

Alebiosu commended the federal government drive in achieving food sovereignty and vowed the bank’s continued commitment in fostering the growth Nigeria’s agriculture sector.

“It is with great honour and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome you to the 2025 edition of the FirstBank Agric & Export Expo.

“Over the years, this gathering has grown into a defining platform, a testament to FirstBank’s unwavering commitment to advancing Nigeria’s economic priorities.

“The expo reflects our shared vision for a stronger, more resilient economy, one anchored on food security, agribusiness, solid minerals, and most critically, the expansion of non-oil exports,’’ he said.

Alebiosu noted that agriculture that was once overlooked was gaining a significant place in the heart of Nigeria’s national development agenda.

“We commend the federal government’s commitment to elevating the sector and reaffirm our role as a steadfast partner in this journey.

“This year’s theme: The Fundamentals of Building an Export-Driven Economy, could not be timelier.

“As a nation, we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in our economic journey, one that demands bold diversification beyond oil and the harnessing of the vast opportunities in our non-oil sectors,” Alebiosu said.

He described the expo as a beacon for collaboration, innovation, and sustainable growth.

“Our history is deeply connected to agriculture and non-oil sectors.

“For more than a century, we have played a defining role in financing industries that are vital not only to Nigeria’s economic progress, but also to the development of sub-Saharan Africa.

“Our portfolio spans the full spectrum of agribusiness, from primary production to processing and export.

“Across the country, our dedicated teams deliver sector-focused, client-friendly financial solutions tailored to the distinct needs of agricultural and solid minerals enterprises.

“This is ensuring that they have the resources to thrive and compete on a global scale,” Alebiosu said.

On his part, The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, represented by his Special Adviser, Mr Ibrahim Alkali, commended the Bank’s commitment in the agriculture sector.

“The fundamentals of building non-oil export driven economy, is not merely an intellectual discussion, it is a survival strategy for our nation.

“Nigeria must no longer live at the mercy of oil marketers, but on the strength of productivity, our creativity and our resilience.

“FirstBank has long has been a pioneer in agricultural financing.

“Its agricultural portfolio has grown by N11.6 billion in recent years, supporting farmer’s processors and exporters.

“Through the commercial agriculture credit scheme, FirstBank has financed more enterprises than any other bank, accounting for over 23 per cent of all participation with dedicated agricultural finance teams,” Kyari said.

In his goodwill message, the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, commended the bank while calling for more financing in the agriculture sector.

“We must move away from our dependence and build a resilient economy that is anchored on productivity, value addition and competitiveness in the non-oil sector.

“For over 130 years, FirstBank has stood as a part of Nigeria’s economic story by promoting exports.

“You are not only reaffirming your commitments and culture, but you are also signaling to farmers, to processors, to exporters, that you have a reliable partner in building a truly export driven economy.

“For this, I commend the Managing Director and the management at FirstBank for its leadership role for promoting agro-exports.

“We have to aggressively position agricultural product, we must ensure that we are competitive. We must secure our market share, and we must drive investment into the agro businesses,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Also, the Governor of Niger, Mr Mohammed Bago, commended the bank for tapping into President Tinubu’s Transformation Agenda in the agriculture sector.

“People must be able to feed themselves, and President Tinubu has made this a fundamental principle in this government, so we have scaled in.

“So, there is a need for us to tell our stories ourselves. On behalf of the Government of people of Niger State, I thank FirstBank for this exhibition,” Bago said.

Present at the expo were exhibitors across the various agriculture value chains as well as farmers’ associations. (NAN)

Edited by Dorcas Jonah/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

SDG 2: Revisit economic reforms, Pharmacist urges FG
Food Security , Health

SDG 2: Revisit economic reforms, Pharmacist urges FG

 

By Adeyemi Adeleye

Mr  Akinjide Adeosun, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ST.RACHEAL’S™ Pharmaceutical Nigeria Ltd., has urged the Federal Government to review reforms to tackle hunger, high transport fares and rents.

Adeosun, a licensed Pharmacist and Founder of the Akinjide Adeosun Foundation (AAF), made the appeal on Sunday at the grand finale of events earmarked to celebrate his 57th birthday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the birthday, celebrated on Aug. 4, witnessed a Thanksgiving Service at the All Souls’ Church, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, with philanthropic gestures including the unveiling of food bank among others.

Adeosun, who tagged the celebration as “Thanksgiving in Freedom” said that true leadership must focus on providing freedom for people in terms of ending hardship, hunger and insecurity.

According to him, the 57 birthday is the most fulfilling because of the privilege to distribute food to some vulnerable people in the society including cleaners, security personnel earning peanuts among others.

The pharmacist, who provided detailed insight into the link between food and health of the people, said every society must prioritise feeding, transport and rents (shelter).

Adeosun said: “Let us look at our reforms again and review where necessary. There is no where in the world where there is no subsidy one way or the other.

“There is a huge link between food and the health condition of the people. We just need to do something about food, transport and rents.

“These are the three anguish facing the people that I found out after special interviews with cleaners, security men and other vulnerable people in Lekki Phase I, Ikoyi and Victoria Island.”

He said that government needs to partner with well-meaning individual and corporate organisations to achieve the SDG’s Goal 2 “Zero Hunger” to improve life expectancy in the country.

Commending President Bola Tinubu’s removal of subsidy on fuel, the medical expert said that the government should have planned well to tackle the expected consequences including hunger, poverty and anger.

According to him, the government must increase capacity of manufacturing companies including indigenous pharmaceutical films to crash the inflation of products.

“We cannot use palliatives to solve this. They can only be solved through macroeconomics. Our reforms cannot be cast on stone, we have to review them.

“There is an urgent need for investment in manufacturing and production industry.

“We must move Nigeria from consumption to production nation such that we produce even more than what we need as a people.

“Prices will come down automatically and thirst for foreign products will no longer be there,” he said.

The philanthropist said: “We must ban importation of petrol. We must ensure crude oil naira discount for local refining firms like Dangote. We must ensure exchange rate rebasing also.

“The President has to do something about petrol price because it is what is driving inflation.

“We must tinker with the crude oil price to Dangote and price will come down,” he said.

He advocated 20 per cent crude oil discount to Dangote Refinery and other local refinery or buying of five barrel and getting one free or even 20 per cent naira price discount.

According to him, the same can be extended to local flour, cement and basic commodity producers including farmers to bring down prices and rents.

On saboteurs, the philanthropist advocated death penalties for all economic saboteurs just like the situation in Singapore and China.

He urged the government to make life easy for people at the grassroots by building infrastructure like schools, hospitals and equipping them. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Vivian Ihechu

Go into agro-business for sustainable employment- Gotomo
Food Security

Go into agro-business for sustainable employment- Gotomo

By Ahmed Dantala

Mr Abubakar Gotomo, founder of Gotomo Farms and Wildlife Services, has urged the youths to explore agro-business as a pathway to sustainable employment.

 

Gotomo made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Diko, Niger on Sunday.

 

NAN reports that agriculture offers a significant pathway to sustainable employment in Nigeria, particularly when focusing on sustainable farming practices.

 

These practices, such as crop rotation, agro-forestry, and efficient water management, can boost yields, reduce costs, and improve resilience to climate change.

 

“People should aspire to come into agriculture to pursue such a business that they can be rich within the shortest possible time. When you pursue it, you do it according to the best practice, be rest assure you will make your money.

 

“Here at Gotomo farm, we have about 36 concrete fish ponds, we have over 10 earthen farms for fish production. But I’m just giving a simple example of one pond farm which has the capacity to store 2,500 catfish.

 

‘’2,500 catfish, if well fed, within 100 to 120 days, they can grow to the table size. Three of them can give you one kg, averagely, If you are lucky, two can give you one kg, but three can give you one kg.

 

‘’At a conservative price now, a kg can give you 2,000. Now imagine, as a graduate, you have one pond farm of 2,500 catfish. You manage it in 120 days; you’d be rest assured of going with a profit of two million Naira.’’

 

He added that the agriculture sector remains a veritable means of opportunity, saying the value chain is even more significant.

 

‘’Even if it’s in the service of input, providing input, selling, marketing, transportation, actively performing on the farm. So, I encourage our graduates, don’t wait. You have no time to wait.

 

‘’You are a fresh graduate from the NYSC, come, try to get that orientation. As soon as you finish your NYSC, please go to the farm, the job is there waiting for you.’’

 

Gotomo said that the search for economic independence was his drive and motivation to go into agri-business.

 

“I left the civil service very early because I have been naturally an independent person. And at the civil service I realised that I have a lot of restrictions and limitations and I can’t achieve my aspirations as a civil servant.

 

“With the civil service I discovered that promotion is your limit, you can’t go beyond promotion. Your competency, your experience, your expertise is not enough for you to secure any job.

 

‘’You have still to go and start lobbying here and there. I feel, no, I have to look for something more independent. With food production, people must eat and you have access to market when you produce, people must buy.

 

‘’The fact that you graduate does not mean that you should go and be a servant to anybody. That education should serve as a light that will help you to pursue any venture, so I went into adventure,’’ he said.

 

Gotomo said that contamination of the soil, chemical application, post-harvest management, application of preservatives and pesticides, are factors affecting the quality and health of the food.

 

He said that the Gotomo farm uses organic principles in order to give out products that are healthy enough and safe for human consumption.

 

“We are trying to train people, all the people working here with us, then those coming in to get training, we give them those principles. And with that, gradually, we can scale our food system and ensure food security.

 

“Food security is not just about the availability of food alone. It is also about the quality of that food,’’ he said.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Young farmers urge local food production, livestock expansion
Food Security

Young farmers urge local food production, livestock expansion

By Daniel Obaje

Young agriculturists in Mararaba, Nasarawa State, have called on the Federal Government to increase support for local food producers to boost livestock farming and reduce dependence on imported animal products.

 

The farmers made the call during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at their integrated livestock and crop farm in Mararaba, as part of a field report on sustainable agriculture and youth participation.

 

Mr Ogese Samuel, an economist and co-manager of the farm, said that the project was set up to promote food security, create employment and demonstrate the profitability of agriculture among young people in Nigeria.

 

“We rear catfish, broilers, local chickens, turkey, rabbit, snail, earthworm and pigs. All are sold locally and the business is very profitable.

 

“Our goal is to support the national food system and create jobs. But we need funds to expand. With the population rising, the demand for protein is increasing daily.”

 

He noted that in spite of the challenges of manpower and capital, the farm continues to grow.

 

He highlighted the need for government-backed loans, youth-targeted grants and access to reliable markets to scale up their impact.

 

“Agriculture has inelastic demand; people must eat every day. What we need is support to grow our capacity”

 

He also emphasised the importance of food safety, saying the farm maintains strict hygiene standards and collaborates with Nasarawa State inspection teams to ensure compliance with health regulations.

 

Miss Maranata Fadawa, a director in the farm, encouraged young Nigerians to embrace agriculture rather than turning to crime or fraud.

 

“Farming is hard work but comes with dignity and reward. We need to stop being lazy and do what will bring us honest income”

 

The experts urged the government and development partners to invest more in training and mentorship programmes that can expose young people to manage modern farming techniques.

 

They added that with the right support, agriculture can become a key driver of youth employment and national economic growth.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Organic food: Farmers seek FG support on markets, chemical use
Food Security

Organic food: Farmers seek FG support on markets, chemical use

By Daniel Obaje

Experts in the agriculture sector have urged the Federal Government to prioritise organic farming and reduce reliance on hazardous agrochemicals, which threatens public health and limit Nigeria’s access to international markets.

 

They made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Karshi, Abuja during a visit to organic farms as part of a field report on sustainable agricultural practices.

 

Mr Adams Peter, Managing Director of Amadam’s Organic Agricultural Company, said Nigeria’s overdependence on chemical-based farming has become a major barrier to global trade.

 

“Our food exports are being rejected in many countries because they are not organic and are contaminated by chemicals,”

 

He explained that most farmers lack proper training on the safe use of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers which leads to misuse and unsafe residue levels in food.

 

Peter, whose company has been operating since 2001, said his organisation is focused on organic farming because of its multiple benefits to health, environment and the economy.

 

“Organic agriculture is not only safer for consumers; it also nourishes the soil and protects the ecosystem.

 

“It creates employment, especially for Nigerians and can improve household income.”

 

He noted that in spite of growing awareness about food safety, organic food remains largely inaccessible in many urban centres.

 

“We hardly find organic vegetables or foodstuff in Abuja markets, that is why we are working with our network to set up dedicated organic food markets across the FCT.

 

“Government support for organic farming is still very low. If we’re serious about improving food quality and boosting exports, we must invest in organic agriculture,” he said.

 

Also speaking, Mr Donald Ikenna, Lead Coordinator of the Alliance for Action on Pesticide in Nigeria, warned about the growing use of highly hazardous chemicals in the country’s food production system.

 

“More than 40 per cent of the chemicals used by farmers in Nigeria are classified as highly hazardous, this puts both farmers and consumers at serious risk.”

 

Ikenna said the widespread use of such chemicals has been linked to an increase in cancer, kidney failure and other chronic diseases.

 

“People are falling ill from what they eat and the economy is also suffering as we lose billions to rejected food exports.”

 

He stressed the need for a national shift to safer and science-backed alternatives, including biopesticides, organic fertilizers and agroecological practices.

 

He called on state governments and lawmakers to ensure constituency projects support organic farming initiatives at the grassroots.

 

“We have the local capacity to produce organic farm inputs in Nigeria. What we need is investment, training and strong political will.

 

“We must stop pumping money into harmful chemicals and start building systems that promote health, sustainability and long-term food security.”

 

NAN reports that organic and agroecological farming is gaining momentum globally as a safer, climate-friendly alternative to conventional agricultural practices.(NAN)

Edited by Ismail Abdulaziz

Waivers, smuggling threaten Nigeria’s rice industry- Stakeholders
Agriculture , Food Security

Waivers, smuggling threaten Nigeria’s rice industry- Stakeholders

By Akpan Glory

The Competitive African Rice Forum (CARF-FSD Nigeria) has expressed concern that policy inconsistencies, selective import duty waivers, and the unchecked smuggling of rice are threatening the viability of Nigeria’s rice industry.

The group, a coalition of rice farmers, millers, processors, marketers, NGOs and development partners, warned that over two decades of investments in the sector risk being eroded if urgent corrective measures are not taken.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the forum said Nigeria has built a domestic milling capacity of over 13 million metric tonnes, a figure sufficient to meet, and even exceed national demand.

It however said this capacity is reportedly underutilised due to the influx of imported and smuggled rice, which has flooded the market in recent months.

The group linked the downturn in the industry to a 180-day duty waiver granted by the Federal Government in July 2024, which included husked brown rice among essential food items.

Although the measure was introduced to address rising food prices and discourage hoarding, stakeholders say it has had unintended and damaging effects on local production.

According to CARF-FSD Nigeria, the waiver has led to a collapse in demand for paddy rice, leaving farmers with unsold harvests and forcing many rice mills to shut down or scale back operations.

This is due to their inability to compete with cheaper, subsidised imports.

The impact, it said, has been pronounced in key rice-producing states such as Kebbi, Kano, Ebonyi, Plateau, Nasarawa, Jigawa, Ekiti, Benue, Akwa Ibom, and Adamawa, where job losses across the value chain continue to mount.

“The rice value chain has been a major source of livelihood for millions of Nigerians, especially in rural communities.

“What we are seeing now is a systemic disruption that threatens not only employment but also national food security, “said Peter Dama, Chairman of CARF-FSD Nigeria’s Board of Trustees.

The Forum also raised alarm over the continued smuggling of substandard rice through Nigeria’s porous borders, saying it had made legitimate operators uncompetitive, compromised food safety, and emboldened criminal trade networks in border communities.

With general elections approaching in 2027, stakeholders warned that the collapse of the industry could have wider socio-economic consequences.

They pointed to rising rural-urban migration, growing youth disillusionment, and the risk of unrest in agricultural communities as potential flashpoints.

CARF-FSD Nigeria therefore called on the Federal Government to act swiftly to safeguard the sector and stabilise the market.

It urged an end to selective waivers on rice and related commodities, the designation of rice as a strategic crop, and the strengthening of customs operations to tackle smuggling at critical border points.

The group also recommended the establishment of a national rice buffer stock and offtake mechanism to regulate prices during harvest cycles.

Other measures proposed include improved access to irrigation, affordable farm inputs, mechanisation, and low-interest financing for farmers and processors.

In addition, the Forum called for a national campaign to promote Nigerian rice, with a focus on quality, traceability, and consumer confidence.

“The rice industry is not responsible for food inflation, It is one of the most scalable and inclusive solutions Nigeria has.

“If properly supported, it can reduce import dependency, generate employment, and anchor rural development”.

The forum reaffirmed its readiness to continue supporting the government in efforts to build a rice-secure and economically resilient nation. (NAN)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

FG targets irrigation to boost food security
Agriculture , Food Security

FG targets irrigation to boost food security

By Tosin Kolade

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening food security in Nigeria through strategic support for farmers, improved irrigation systems, and climate resilience measures.

Speaking at the 2025 Ministerial Press Briefing Series in Abuja, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, announced plans to commission 11 new projects in 2025.

According to him, these include dams, irrigation schemes, and water supply systems in Benue, Jigawa, and Yobe; key agricultural zones with high food production potential.

Utsev revealed that the ministry was implementing the Sustainable Power and Irrigation in Nigeria (SPIN) project, in collaboration with 20 states, to modernise dam and irrigation infrastructure and develop a national hydropower masterplan.

The states involved are Adamawa, Bauchi, Benue, Borno, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Enugu, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Nasarawa, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Yobe, and Zamfara.

The minister said the River Basin Development Authorities (RBDAs), the ministry’s implementing agencies, had supported farmers with more than 154,000 hectares of irrigated land.

“In addition, tractors and harvesters have been distributed to enhance mechanised farming. As part of ongoing reforms, over 4,400 hectares of farmland have been leased to commercial farmers to expand food production,” he said.

He noted that investments in human capital were also underway, with the National Water Resources Institute (NWRI) recently graduating more than 230 postgraduate students in Integrated Water Resources Management.

He added that more than 1,300 young people had been trained in technical fields such as pump installation and drilling technology.

Utsev said the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency had intensified early flood warning efforts in response to the impact of climate change on farming communities.

“More than 1,200 communities in 30 states have been identified as flood-prone in 2025. In response, the Nigerian National Flood Insurance Programme was launched in April to provide financial protection for vulnerable households and farmers.

“We are proactively addressing climate risks through science-based early warning systems and financial safety nets,” he stated.

The minister explained that the RBDAs were being partially commercialised to attract private sector participation, reclaim encroached farmlands, and improve sustainability and investment in the agriculture sector.


He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support and acknowledged the efforts of state governments, development partners, stakeholders, and the media.

“We remain committed to transforming Nigeria’s irrigation landscape, improving access to safe water, creating jobs, and reducing poverty,” he added.

Earlier, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, stated that Nigeria’s inflation slowed to 2.06 per cent in April, down from 2.18 per cent in March, due to price drops in staple foods like maize flour, rice, and beans.

Idris attributed the progress to strategic government interventions in agriculture, transport, and essential services.

“While we are not yet where we want to be, these numbers give us hope. The tough decisions are starting to yield results,” he said.

Idris highlighted key investments in infrastructure, water, sanitation, and the creative economy, noting the Tinubu administration’s focused on restoring Nigeria’s global prominence.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to people-centred policies aimed at economic stability and called on the media to share the positive developments responsibly and patriotically.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the session was also attended by the Ministers of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and Works, Sen. David Umahi. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru

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