By Agrobroadcast Staff:
ABUJA – Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN) Arc. Kabir Ibrahim, has called on governments at all levels to significantly scale up investments in agriculture to achieve true food sovereignty in Nigeria.
Speaking on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of the 17th edition of the National Agricultural Show in Karu, Nasarawa State, Ibrahim noted that farmers continue to face major challenges, including insecurity, climate change, low mechanisation, and the rising cost of inputs.
Ibrahim, who also serves as President of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group (NABG), acknowledged the various Federal Government initiatives aimed at strengthening the country’s food systems. However, he stressed the need for diligent and consistent implementation of these policies if Nigeria is to attain sustainable food sovereignty.
He reaffirmed that agriculture remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and urged farmers to boost productivity by adopting processing and value-addition mechanisms. He further appealed for stronger government support for investors who have committed significant resources to large-scale agribusiness ventures.
Ibrahim also emphasised the need to fully utilise research outputs from the country’s research institutes to drive higher productivity and innovation across the sector.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Director General of the Nigeria Agribusiness Group, Jafar Abubakar Umar, said Nigeria must accelerate investments in food systems, adopt climate-smart agricultural practices, and scale productivity. While lauding NAFN for its resilience and commitment to sectoral growth, Umar reiterated NABG’s dedication to advancing agribusiness, strengthening global competitiveness, attracting investments, and building impactful partnerships across value chains.
In his address, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), Senator Abubakar Kyari, commended the organisers and stakeholders for sustaining the National Agricultural Show, which continues to celebrate Nigeria’s agricultural potential, innovation, and diversity.
Represented by Bukar Musa, Director of the Federal Department of Agriculture, Kyari said the ministry is focused on strengthening the entire agricultural value chain through key priorities such as boosting smallholder farmer productivity, expanding agro-processing and value addition, improving mechanisation, revamping extension services, enhancing market access, and promoting climate-smart agriculture.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has increased public investment in mechanisation, agro-processing, input support, and rural infrastructure. According to him, new partnerships with international organisations and friendly nations—particularly in mechanisation and agro-processing zones—are unlocking funding, modern technologies, and capacity-building opportunities for farmers and agripreneurs.
These initiatives, he said, are targeted at reducing post-harvest losses, strengthening domestic production, and improving competitiveness across the value chain.
Kyari, however, stressed that policy alone is insufficient. “Real impact depends on all stakeholders,” he said, highlighting the need for farmers to adopt improved seed varieties and climate-resilient practices; private sector players to invest in processing and storage; young people to leverage digital tools and innovation; and state governments to provide enabling environments, land, and extension services.
He urged stakeholders to expand value addition, improve access to mechanisation, and drive climate-smart agricultural practices, while encouraging youth to explore the numerous opportunities within the sector.
Organised by NAFN, the National Agricultural Show features exhibitions, seminars on sustainable agriculture and technology, as well as networking engagements. This year’s theme, “Employing Smallholder Farmers: Restoring Value, Ensuring Productivity Will Ensure Attainment of Food Security in Nigeria,” aims to foster collaboration, showcase innovation, and create market opportunities.
The five-day event will conclude on Friday with awards to organisations and individuals who have distinguished themselves across Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.