From Atiku Sarki, Abuja
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, says the recent decline in prices of key food commodities across the country is a direct result of targeted market interventions, increased production and sustained investment in Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.
Kyari stated this on Thursday during the opening of the 47th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security held in Kaduna.
According to him, ongoing reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration are anchored on the drive to achieve food sovereignty — ensuring that Nigeria produces what it consumes while guaranteeing availability and affordability for households.
“As we continue along this path, we are already beginning to witness a decline in food prices across several commodities, a reflection of ongoing targeted market interventions. While we are not yet where we want to be, this positive trend confirms that we are moving in the right direction,” Kyari said.
He explained that food sovereignty begins with consistent, high-yield production supported by timely access to quality inputs.
Kyari said the government has strengthened the National Agricultural Growth Scheme–Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) in collaboration with the African Development Bank and state governments to expand input delivery and productivity.
The minister noted that wheat production has grown significantly, moving from 15 participating states in the 2023/2024 dry season to a wider coverage in the 2024/2025 season.
He highlighted a major breakthrough recorded in October when rain-fed wheat cultivation proved successful in Plateau, Taraba and Cross River States, making all-year wheat farming increasingly feasible.
“As we scale up production, we must also preserve value after harvest,” he added, revealing that the ministry launched the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Programme (NiPHaST) in partnership with AGRA to reduce losses, improve prices and stabilise markets.
Kyari also listed ongoing investments in drought-tolerant crop varieties, integrated pest management and the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme, which aligns fertiliser application with crop and soil needs.
He further disclosed that the Bank of Agriculture has received approval for ₦1.5 trillion recapitalisation and an additional ₦250 billion financing window for smallholder farmers. In partnership with Heifer Nigeria, the ministry has also launched a national mechanisation programme to support youth- and women-led mechanisation service centres in all six geopolitical zones.
“Mechanisation will become a national service that modernises production, raises yields, and creates sustainable rural employment,” Kyari said.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, emphasised the need for climate-smart agriculture, saying Nigeria must adopt modern practices that both increase yields and build resilience.
He highlighted ongoing flagship initiatives, including the 500,000-hectare Dry Season Farming Scheme, solar-powered irrigation projects and the Every Home a Garden initiative promoted by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Both ministers noted that Nigeria holds the largest agricultural potential in West Africa and is strategically positioned to become a leading food supplier to the region.
Declaring the Council meeting open, Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, said the session came at a defining moment when food security had become a matter of national survival. He said agriculture is the backbone of rural transformation and inclusive development, adding that Kaduna has expanded access to credit, improved logistics and built an environment that supports agribusiness growth.
Earlier, ministers, officials and stakeholders toured various agricultural facilities, including De-Branch Farmers, the Afrexim Bank Quality Assurance Centre under construction, Olam Agri, Tomato Jos and TMDK Agro Park, which were showcased as examples of innovation, value addition and rural job creation.
The meeting also featured awards and recognitions for outstanding farmers and agricultural contributors.
