The Federal Government of Nigeria is calling on local and international stakeholders to invest in large-scale mechanized farming, citing the sector’s vital role in the nation’s economy and well-being.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, made the plea at the Farm, Food, and Allied Technologies Expo in Abuja, emphasizing the need to diversify the economy and boost productivity.
“It is heart-warming that agriculture is fast becoming the buzz across trade and investment circles.
“The current policy on agriculture is to have the private sector in the driver’s seat while the government provides an enabling environment to make agriculture a business and haven for investment,” Kyari said.
Chief Emeka Obegolu, President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, echoed Kyari’s sentiments, highlighting agriculture’s significance in providing livelihoods, sustaining communities, and bolstering the economy.
“Agriculture is the heartbeat of our nation. However, in today’s rapidly changing world, the sector faces challenges from climate change to financing and fluctuating markets,” Obegolu stated.
General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, stressed the need for security in farming, warning that up to 33 million Nigerians may face hunger if food sufficiency is not ensured.
“Nigeria is not alone in the struggle to attain food security. To counter this, the DHQ has made operational arrangements to prioritize the protection of farmers’ successful harvests across the country,” Musa said.