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FG urges stakeholders to prioritise domestic agro-processing (Page 529)

By Felicia Imohimi

The Federal Government has urged stakeholders in the agricultural sector to strengthen value addition by moving beyond exporting raw commodities.

It said prioritising domestic processing holds the greatest economic and job-creating potentials for the sector.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said this at the inauguration of the 2025 National Agricultural Show in Nasarawa on Tuesday.

The theme of the 17th edition is: “Empowering Smallholder Farmers: Restoring Value, Ensuring Productivity for Attainment of Food Security in Nigeria.”

The show was organised by the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).

Kyari, represented by Mr Bukar Musa, Director, Project Coordination Unit in the ministry, identified strengthening value addition as a priority action required to transform the country’s food system and accelerate economic growth.

He listed other priority areas to include improving access to mechanisation and promoting climate-smart agriculture.

He said mechanisation must be affordable and accessible at the community level through service centres, hire schemes and appropriate-scale machinery suitable for smallholder farmers.

“Changing weather patterns threaten productivity. We must invest in water-efficient technologies, resilient seed varieties and risk-mitigation tools such as agricultural insurance,” he said.

He encouraged young people to take advantage of opportunities in the sector, noting that the ministry would continue to support youth agribusinesses and agro-technology ventures.

Kyari also commended development partners and private investors, describing their contributions as invaluable and calling for deeper collaboration.

The minister reiterated that agriculture remains key to food security, economic stability and sustainable growth.

He said the ministry is focused on priority areas designed to strengthen the entire agricultural value chain.

These include boosting smallholder productivity, expanding agro-processing, enhancing mechanisation, strengthening extension services, improving market linkages and promoting climate-smart agriculture.

“These priorities reflect our commitment to building a resilient, competitive and inclusive agricultural system,” he said.

Kyari added that the Federal Government had recently intensified investments in mechanisation, agro-processing, input support and rural infrastructure.

He said new partnerships with international organisations and friendly nations; especially ongoing cooperation on mechanisation and agro-processing zones were unlocking resources, modern technologies and capacity-building opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.

“These efforts aim to reduce service losses, promote domestic production and enhance competitiveness across the value chain. Policy alone is not enough; real impact depends on all stakeholders,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Mr Kabir Ibrahim, Chairman, Board of Trustees of NAFN and National President of AFAN, said the theme of the show captured the collective aspiration to reposition smallholder farmers as the backbone of Nigeria’s quest for food self-sufficiency.

He said the annual show had over the years served as a convergence point for policymakers, researchers, private investors and the hardworking farmers who sustain the nation’s food systems.

“Our focus is clear: we must empower smallholder farmers with access to inputs, finance, technology, extension services and markets.

“We must restore value to primary production by strengthening the value chain and minimising post-harvest losses. Only then can we ensure productivity and achieve sustainable food security,” he said.

Ibrahim said NAFN’s mission in organising the annual agricultural show was to promote Nigeria’s agro-related activities, showcase its potential, support economic growth and enhance income generation.

He added that the organisation’s vision is to drive the improvement of Nigerian agriculture for the well-being of citizens and to integrate the country into the global agricultural community through promotional events and activities. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Tosin Kolade

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FG urges stakeholders to prioritise domestic agro-processing (Page 529)

By Felicia Imohimi