Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), has urged the Nigerian government to ramp up efforts to increase food production and reduce food prices across the country.
Speaking at the commissioning of a soybean processing plant and refinery at CSS Global Integrated Farms in Gora, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, Dr. Adesina voiced concern over the rising food prices and the ongoing hunger crisis in Nigeria.
He highlighted the critical need for effective policies and initiatives that would empower local farmers and agribusinesses.
“There is an urgent need to boost food production, reduce food prices, end our dependence on food imports, and support local farmers so that Nigeria can feed itself,” Dr. Adesina stated.
He pointed out the dramatic rise in rice prices, noting the current cost of over N100,000 per bag, compared to the N8,000 per bag it sold for during his tenure as Minister of Agriculture under President Goodluck Jonathan. Dr. Adesina emphasized that bold agricultural policies and incentives are necessary to strengthen value chains, from production and processing to packaging and market distribution.
Dr. Adesina praised CSS Farms for its significant contributions to food production and agribusiness development in Nigeria, particularly its efforts to empower young people in agriculture. The newly inaugurated soybean plant and refinery, which has a daily production capacity of 10,000 liters of soybean oil, represents a major milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural sector. He noted that the refinery will help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on crude soybean oil imports, which currently cost the country $62.2 million annually.
Professor John Okpara, founder of CSS Farms, discussed plans to establish an agricultural university designed to provide students with the skills necessary to launch their own agribusiness ventures. Reflecting on the farm’s origins, which began six years ago on a single hectare of land, Okpara shared how it has since expanded to 1,750 hectares, employing over 1,450 workers.
“At this farm, we produce 3,000 crates of eggs daily. Today, we are launching a new initiative, and we also produce a significant amount of soybeans,” Okpara said.
He explained the integrated nature of the farm’s operations, which includes processing soybeans into soybean meal, cake, oil, and sludge. The sludge is further utilized in soap production, while the soybean meal and cake are used in animal feed production.