The Federal Government has intensified efforts to boost agricultural productivity by ensuring farmers across all local government areas have access to critical soil and farming data.
Speaking during the FGN/IFAD Value Chain Programme in Northern Nigeria (VCN) High-Level Stakeholder Engagement Workshop, the Honourable Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi explained that the government is working with sub-national governments to deliver actionable information directly to farmers at the grassroots.
He said the initiative would consolidate existing agricultural data into a National Soil Information System, designed to guide farmers on soil health, crop suitability and input application for maximum productivity. According to him, the move reflects a deliberate strategy to ensure that all legacy data and ongoing interventions are harmonised into a system that drives measurable outcomes.
“This will enable farmers to make informed decisions and significantly improve yields,” he said, noting that productivity remains central to the success of all agricultural programmes.
The minister further explained that while the Value Chain Programme targets specific commodities across participating states, it is also structured to enhance productivity across the board, underscoring what he described as the “integrated nature” of current agricultural interventions.
Beyond data and productivity, Dr Abdullahi highlighted the unprecedented level of collaboration between the federal and state governments in implementing the programme. He commended state commissioners and development partners for ensuring that engagements translate into tangible impact at the community level rather than remaining policy discussions in Abuja.
He said the programme forms part of broader efforts by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu to address food insecurity, noting that the government is operating in an “emergency mode” to fast-track agricultural reforms and interventions.
According to him, the Value Chain Programme is designed to move Nigeria beyond primary production by strengthening linkages between farmers and markets, promoting local processing, reducing post-harvest losses and stimulating rural economies.
He also stressed that the initiative is aligned with other ongoing programmes, including rural access and agricultural infrastructure projects, to ensure synergy, eliminate duplication and maximise impact.
Dr Abdullahi noted that Northern Nigeria holds vast agricultural potential, but emphasised that the focus must shift from potential to practical outcomes that improve livelihoods. He explained that participating states were selected based on comparative and competitive advantages in specific commodities to ensure targeted and economically viable interventions.
He urged stakeholders to remain committed to timelines and agreed processes, expressing confidence that stronger coordination among federal, state and development partners would deliver tangible results.
The minister added that successful implementation of the programme would not only improve productivity but also create jobs, reduce poverty and enhance food security, while advancing the administration’s goal of achieving food sovereignty through increased local production and consumption.
He further highlighted the importance of agro-processing in reducing post-harvest losses, noting that value addition at production centres could significantly increase farmers’ incomes.
Dr Abdullahi described the workshop as a platform for decisive action and practical solutions, urging participants to translate discussions into concrete implementation plans that will positively impact farmers and rural communities across Northern Nigeria.
