The Federal Government has unveiled plans to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector from subsistence-based to a viable economic enterprise that drives wealth creation and job opportunities.
This was disclosed by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, who emphasized the government’s commitment to shifting agriculture from mere sustenance to both “stomach and pocket-driven” growth.
In a series of posts on his official X handle, Kyari highlighted that strategic investments are being made in productivity, value addition, and agribusiness to empower farmers and foster a prosperous Nigerian economy. “It’s time to move from ‘Agriculture for the Stomach’ to ‘Agriculture for the Stomach and Pocket.’ Agriculture should not just be about survival—it must be a driver of wealth and economic growth,” the Minister stated.
Providing details on the government’s dry season farming support, Kyari revealed that 300,000 farmers benefited from the 2024 wheat dry season farming initiative. This support included a 50% subsidy on fertilizers and a 75% subsidy on seeds, which resulted in an impressive 98% redemption rate.
The Minister, however, announced the government’s target to support at least 400,000 rice farmers in the 2025 wet and dry season farming programs. “For the second phase of dry season rice farming, we are targeting at least 400,000 farmers across irrigated lands. This target also covers wet season rice farming in the Southern region,” Kyari added.