Victoria Mbangwa
The Federal Government has launched a series of comprehensive agricultural reforms aimed at boosting local food production, addressing post-harvest losses, and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on food imports, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has announced.
Speaking on Tuesday during an official visit to Maiduguri, Borno State, the minister said the reforms are part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises national food security and economic diversification through agriculture.
According to Kyari, Nigeria currently imports about six million tonnes of wheat annually. To address this, a national wheat programme has been initiated, with Cross River State becoming the first southern state to join the wheat production drive. He described this as a significant step towards self-sufficiency.
“In addition to wheat, the ministry has championed a successful rice programme, leading to positive harvests nationwide,” he said.
The minister acknowledged that insecurity and recurrent flooding have negatively impacted agricultural output across the country. In response, the ministry has rolled out targeted initiatives to strengthen the sector’s resilience.
“The federal government is also committed to restoring national assets, including tractors and other vital equipment, to enhance agricultural productivity,” Kyari said.
Kyari noted that more than 80 per cent of Nigeria’s food is produced by local farmers and stressed the importance of supporting them through better infrastructure and access to mechanised tools.
He announced that the government is in the process of restoring tractors and other key equipment under its mechanisation programme. He warned against misuse of government-owned machinery and called for responsible utilisation by farmers.
As part of post-harvest management efforts, the minister revealed plans to reactivate Nigeria’s network of silos. Out of numerous silo sites across the country, only three are currently operational.
“The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will collaborate with stakeholders to ensure these critical storage facilities are fully utilised,” Kyari said.
Looking ahead, he emphasised the need to empower young people to embrace agriculture, especially with Nigeria’s population projected to hit 400 million by 2050. Mechanised, youth-driven agriculture, he said, is crucial to achieving long-term food security.
