The Federal Government has announced plans to cultivate one million hectares of farmland and produce 460,000 metric tonnes of soybeans over the next two years, as part of efforts to strengthen food security, cut import dependence, and elevate Nigeria’s role in the global soybean market.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, revealed this on Tuesday during the launch of the National Soybean Production Expansion Policy and Strategy. He described the initiative as more than just a policy—calling it a commitment to sowing the seeds of a food-secure and globally competitive Nigeria.

“Our target is to cultivate 1 million hectares of farmland and deliver 460,000 metric tons of soybean grain to the market within two years,” he announced.

The Minister added that while Nigeria currently produces about 1.35 million metric tonnes of soybeans annually, demand has risen to over 2.7 million metric tonnes due to growth in the food, feed, and industrial sectors.

He noted that this supply gap presents not only a challenge but also a major opportunity.

*This supply gap is both a challenge and an opportunity to expand production, strengthen processing capacity, and create jobs,” he added.

Underscoring soybeans’ dual importance as an economic and nutritional commodity, the minister said, “Soybean is a nutritional powerhouse, containing about 40 per cent high-quality protein and essential amino acids, making it crucial in the fight against malnutrition and in improving household diets.”

He added, “Nigeria’s soybeans are naturally non-GMO, giving us a comparative advantage in premium markets where demand for non-GMO products continues to rise.”

“Its role at home is equally vital, serving as the backbone of our animal feed industry, with roughly one-third of Nigeria’s soybean production going into poultry feed, where it constitutes about 20–25 per cent of the feed mix. By boosting local production, we reduce reliance on imported feed ingredients, fortify our poultry and aquaculture industries, and build a more resilient, self-sufficient food system, one that feeds our people while opening doors to global markets.”

He emphasized that achieving these goals will require more than just plans—it will take deliberate, coordinated, and collaborative execution across all stakeholders.