As the country faces increasing issues with food shortages and economic difficulties, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, called for a more adaptable and strong farming plan in Nigeria.
Edun made this appeal during the inaugural meeting of the Agricultural Sector Working Group (ASWG), in Abuja, which was made known on Wednesday via the official X (formerly Twitter) handle of the Federal Ministry of Finance.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to achieving sustainable food security, Edun emphasized the need for bold agricultural reforms and enhanced collaboration across multiple sectors.
According to him, Nigeria must swiftly align its agricultural priorities with the post-Malabo agenda, Africa’s strategic framework for agricultural transformation by concentrating on three major areas: boosting productivity, expanding access to affordable finance, and unlocking opportunities for value-added exports.”
He reiterated that agriculture is a foundational pillar of President Bola Tinubu’s economic blueprint.
Edun further stressed the importance of having “a nimble agricultural framework capable of responding swiftly to global and domestic shocks, including climate change, inflationary pressures, and disruptions in the food supply chain.”
The ASWG comprises representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture, Industry, and various development partners.
It is designed to serve as a key coordinating platform to streamline policy, synchronize investments, and monitor progress toward both national and continental food security goals.
Edun declared that the Finance Ministry stands ready to support game-changing initiatives across the agricultural value chain.
These include efforts in mechanization, irrigation infrastructure, agro-processing, and digital agriculture.
“The role of the Finance Ministry is not just to provide funds, but to ensure that our investment framework incentivizes innovation, accountability, and measurable impact in agriculture,” he said.
Despite employing more than 70 per cent of the rural population, Nigeria’s agriculture sector continues to struggle due to weak infrastructure, limited financing access, and low productivity levels.
With food prices soaring amid inflationary pressures, the need for a more responsive and dynamic strategy has become increasingly urgent.
