The Federal Government has called on local and international stakeholders to seize the growing opportunities in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, particularly in large-scale mechanised farming. This appeal was made on Tuesday by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, during the first-ever Farm, Food, and Allied Technologies Expo in Abuja.
The event was organized by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), in partnership with Afreximbank and Autodex Nigeria Limited. Kyari, represented by Adegbenro Adebiyi, the Director of Agribusiness and Market Development, emphasized the significance of the sector in boosting the nation’s economy, particularly as oil prices remain volatile.
“It is heart-warming that agriculture is fast becoming the buzz across trade and investment circles,” Kyari remarked. He also stressed the government’s commitment to transitioning agriculture from a development program into a business and investment hub, placing the private sector at the forefront. “We will not relent in increasing agribusiness linkages between farmers and processors to boost food security and wealth creation,” he added.
ACCI President, Chief Emeka Obegolu, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting agriculture’s crucial role in sustaining communities and the economy. However, Obegolu acknowledged the sector’s challenges, including climate change, financing, and the need for modern infrastructure. Through the expo, he aimed to showcase investment opportunities in the agro-allied sector, promoting policies to drive economic growth.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who spoke at the event, stressed the importance of security for Nigerian farmers. Represented by Major General Isa Abdullahi, Musa warned that up to 33 million Nigerians could face hunger in the coming months without urgent action. He attributed agricultural setbacks to insecurity, weather shocks, and armed conflicts. Musa emphasized the need for investments in agricultural infrastructure and called for large-scale mechanised farming to mitigate these challenges.
“The Federal Government is committed to cultivating over 10 million hectares of arable land across the country, and this expo serves as an important step toward achieving national food security,” Musa concluded.
