The Kaduna State Government has commenced a comprehensive review of its agricultural policy framework to align with global best practices and enhance agribusiness.
Speaking at a two-day Agriculture Policy Revalidation meeting in Kaduna, the Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, announced plans to revise policies on the ease of doing business to attract investment and improve smallholder farmers’ productivity.
Organized in partnership with the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) under the Policy and Agricultural Systems Strengthening (PASS) project, the revalidation workshop aims to update existing policies to address key areas, including contract farming, gender inclusivity, and soybean production.
According to Dabo, these policy reforms reflect the government’s commitment to transforming agriculture as a catalyst for economic growth.
He commended AGRA for its support in boosting smallholder farmers’ capacity, noting that they account for 87 percent of the state’s agricultural output.
“The reviewed policies will strengthen agribusiness, encourage gender equity, and provide an enabling environment for agricultural investments, ultimately leading to food sufficiency and increased income for active players in the sector,” Dabo said.
He assured stakeholders that once the draft is finalized, it will be presented to Governor Uba Sani for approval.
He called on all stakeholders to actively engage in the process, emphasizing that the outcome of the exercise would guide future decisions in the sector.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Abubakar Abba, who also heads the project, highlighted the committee’s mandate to revise policies that govern key areas such as contract farming, gender parity, and agribusiness regulations.
“The review seeks to promote equity, sustainable agricultural growth, and gender inclusivity while addressing barriers to agribusiness operations in Kaduna,” Abba said.
He added that actionable solutions would be proposed to streamline regulations, improve infrastructure, and foster a more conducive environment for agricultural enterprises.
State Director for Agricultural Services and Project Manager, Bage Bungwon, described the reviewed policy as a strategic tool for agricultural development.
He noted that the policy would provide clear direction, define objectives, and outline actionable strategies to bolster sector performance.
Lead convener of the Policy and Citizens Initiative, Mr. Abel Adejor, stated that the initial policy document was developed in 2019 but needed revision to reflect current economic realities.
He expressed optimism that the revised document would receive government approval, enhancing the sector’s strategic performance.
Adejor also highlighted the potential of the gender policy to attract more women and youth into agriculture, while noting that the soybean policy would unlock significant investment opportunities in response to the high demand for the crop.
The state government has allocated over N70 billion, representing 9.3 percent of its 2025 budget, to strengthen the agricultural sector and ensure food security.