The Federal Government on Tuesday called on both local and international stakeholders to capitalize on the increasing interest in Nigeria’s agricultural sector by investing in large-scale mechanized farming.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made this disclosure at the inaugural edition of the three-day Farm, Food, and Allied Technologies Expo held in Abuja.
The event was organized by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in collaboration with Afreximbank and Autodex Nigeria Limited, with the goal of showcasing innovations and opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Kyari, represented by the Director of Agribusiness and Market Development at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Adegbenro Adebiyi said that the impressive turnout at the exhibition reflected the crucial role the agricultural sector plays in driving the nation’s economy and ensuring the well-being of its people.
He said, “It is heart-warming that agriculture is fast becoming the buzz across trade and investment circles, particularly in the face of the perennially dwindling oil prices and the FG’s desire to diversify the economy to boost productivity and revenue base of the nation.
“The current policy on agriculture is to have the private sector in the driver’s seat while the government provides an enabling environment to make agriculture a business and haven for investment instead of a development programme as was the case in the past.
“We will not relent in the giant stride in creating sufficient agribusiness linkages between the farmers and the processors to increase the present level of agricultural value addition, reduction of post-harvest losses to achieve food security and wealth creation.”
In his earlier address, President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Emeka Obegolu, echoed the same sentiment.
He emphasized that the event was aimed at encouraging stakeholders to drive innovation in agriculture and enhance partnerships, especially between Nigeria and China.
“Agriculture, as we know, is the heartbeat of our nation, providing livelihoods to millions, sustaining communities and bolstering our economy. However, in today’s rapidly changing world, the sector faces a host of challenges from climate change to financing and from fluctuating markets to the urgent need for modern infrastructure and technology.
“As we know, agriculture is a time-honoured profession undergoing a rapid evolution, powered by technological advancements. At the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, our interest lies in securing a robust economy, which includes promoting and supporting sectors like agriculture that contribute substantially to our nation’s GDP.
“Through this expo, we aim to spotlight investment opportunities in the agro-allied sector, engage policymakers to support this vital industry and encourage policies to propel economic and individual growth,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, one of the guest speakers, emphasized the critical need to ensure the security of Nigerian farmers, stressing that their protection is essential for the continued growth and stability of the agricultural sector.
Musa, represented by the Director of Policy at the Defence Headquarters, Major General Isa Abdullahi, also called for increased support for large-scale and mechanized farming.
He warned that, without urgent action to ensure food sufficiency, up to 33 million Nigerians could face heightened vulnerability to hunger in the coming months.
He said, “Nigeria is not alone in the struggle to attain food security. This is because agricultural activities are severely hampered by armed conflict as well as weather shocks as a result of climate change. In realization of the imminent threat to food security, a number of countries around the world adopted a military approach as an emergency response.
“The prolonged unrests caused by insurgency, banditry and farmers/herders clashes across regions of Nigeria have hindered farming. To counter this, the DHQ has made operational arrangements to prioritize the protection of farmers’ successful harvests across the country.
“Moreover, to address the effects of weather shocks, the need arises to invest in agricultural infrastructure to embrace all seasons of farming. As the Federal Government is focused on the cultivation of over 10 million hectares of arable lands across the country, this expo is an avenue to develop practical solutions in achieving the National Food Security Scheme.”
