The Federal Government has introduced a series of agricultural reforms aimed at eradicating hunger, boosting food production, and reducing Nigeria’s post-harvest losses—currently estimated at over $10 billion annually.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, alongside the Minister of State, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in a joint statement yesterday.
Kyari noted that agriculture remains the backbone of Nigeria’s economy and a crucial pillar for the nation’s renewal.
He explained that the ongoing reforms are designed to ensure food sufficiency, enhance mechanisation, improve irrigation systems, and strengthen storage facilities to achieve sustainable food security across the country.
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“We are laying the foundation to make food abundance a reality for every Nigerian household,” Kyari said.
According to him, the reforms include the National Agricultural Growth Scheme–Agro-Pocket, the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme, and the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST), which aims to drastically cut losses and improve food quality.
Kyari revealed that the Bank of Agriculture has been recapitalised with ₦1.5 trillion, while an additional ₦250 billion financing window has been approved for smallholder farmers.
He added that partnerships with Heifer Nigeria will drive tractor financing and mechanisation services nationwide, creating jobs and improving productivity.
Highlighting recent progress, the minister pointed to the successful introduction of rainfed wheat cultivation in Plateau State—an innovation that expands farming beyond irrigated zones and promotes year-round production.
The Minister of State, Senator Abdullahi, emphasized that the reforms align with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and are focused on climate-smart and inclusive agriculture.
He added that achieving food self-sufficiency will involve optimizing the cultivation of major crops like maize, wheat, cassava, and yam while developing climate-resilient varieties. Other ongoing initiatives include the Dry Season Farming Scheme covering 500,000 hectares, the “Every Home a Garden” initiative led by First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, and the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme.
Abdullahi reaffirmed the government’s goal of reducing food imports, stabilising prices, and revitalising agribusiness to position Nigeria as a leading food supplier in West Africa.
