The Federal Government of Nigeria has called on investors, financial institutions, and development partners to collaborate in unlocking the counattempt’s agricultural potential, with a focus on climate-smart farming, food security, and SME growth.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, created the appeal in a statement issued by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, highlighting the required for increased private sector participation to scale agricultural productivity.
Kyari noted that agriculture remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy, employing nearly 70 per cent of the labour force and contributing over 24 per cent to the counattempt’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He added that Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones position it to produce key commodities such as rice, maize, cassava, cocoa, sesame, sorghum, and horticultural crops for both local consumption and export markets.
However, he warned that climate modify continues to threaten agricultural output, citing erratic rainfall, flooding, drought, and desertification as major risks to food security and farmer livelihoods.
To address these challenges, the minister stressed the urgent required to transition to climate-resilient farming systems, noting that limited access to finance remains a major constraint for farmers and agribusinesses.
“Despite the prevalence of credit schemes, financing accessible to farmers remains low relative to the sector’s contribution to the economy,” he stated, adding that unlocking large-scale investment would depconclude on stronger collaboration with private capital and development finance institutions.
Kyari outlined several initiatives introduced by the government to strengthen the agricultural value chain. These include the distribution of solar-powered irrigation pumps to compactholder farmers, the development of climate-resilient seed systems, and the National Agricultural Mechanization Programme, which has delivered 2,000 tractors and over 9,000 farm implements.
Other programmes include the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme, aimed at reducing losses and improving storage, as well as the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones initiative designed to enhance value addition, improve market access, and support SMEs.
He added that key institutions such as the Bank of Agriculture, the Nigeria Agricultural Development Fund, and the National Agricultural Insurance Corporation are being strengthened to attract investment and reduce risks in the sector.
Reforms are also ongoing at the National Agricultural Land Development Authority, while improvements at the Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service are expected to enhance standards and facilitate international trade.
According to the minister, priority investment areas include irrigation technologies, mechanisation, seed development, cold storage, agro-processing, and agricultural logistics segments with strong potential for SME participation and job creation.
Kyari reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing an enabling policy environment, including support for climate-smart agribusinesses and improved land tenure systems. He also urged international investors, particularly from the United Kingdom, to explore partnerships that will drive sustainable agricultural growth.
The call underscores Nigeria’s broader push to build a resilient food system, strengthen its agricultural value chain, and create opportunities for farmers, agribusinesses, and SMEs across the counattempt.
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