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On Tuesday, the Federal Government urged both domestic and international stakeholders to take advantage of the growing interest in Nigeria's agricultural sector by investing in large-scale mechanized farming.Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, made the announcement during the inaugural three-day Farm, Food, and Allied Technologies Expo in Abuja.
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized the event, in collaboration with Afreximbank and Autodex Nigeria Limited, to highlight agricultural innovations and opportunities.
Kyari, represented by Adegbenro Adebiyi, Director of Agribusiness and Market Development at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, stated that the impressive turnout at the exhibition reflected the agricultural sector's critical role in driving the nation's economy and ensuring its people's well-being.
He stated, "It is heartening that agriculture is quickly becoming the buzzword in trade and investment circles, especially in light of perennially low oil prices and the FG's desire to diversify the economy in order to boost the nation's productivity and revenue base."
"The current policy on agriculture is to put the private sector in charge, while the government creates an enabling environment to turn agriculture into a business and a haven for investment, rather than a development program, as was the case previously.
"We will not relent in the giant stride in creating sufficient agribusiness linkages between the farmers and the processors to increase the present level of agricultural value addition, reduction of post-harvest losses to achieve food security and wealth creation."
Chief Emeka Obegolu, President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, had previously expressed similar sentiments.
He emphasized that the event aimed to encourage stakeholders to drive agricultural innovation and strengthen partnerships, particularly between Nigeria and China.
"Agriculture, as we all know, is the heartbeat of our country, providing jobs for millions, sustaining communities, and strengthening our economy. However, in today's rapidly changing world, the sector faces a slew of challenges, ranging from climate change to financing, fluctuating markets, and the critical need for modern infrastructure and technology.
"As we all know, agriculture is a time-honored profession undergoing rapid evolution, fueled by technological advancements. At the Abuja Chamber of Commerce, we are interested in ensuring a strong economy, which includes promoting and supporting sectors such as agriculture, which contribute significantly to our country's GDP.
"Through this expo, we aim to spotlight investment opportunities in the agro-allied sector, engage policymakers to support this vital industry and encourage policies to propel economic and individual growth," he told me.
Meanwhile, one of the guest speakers, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, emphasized the critical importance of ensuring Nigerian farmers' security, emphasizing that their protection is critical for the agricultural sector's continued growth and stability.
Musa, represented by Major General Isa Abdullahi, Director of Policy at Defence Headquarters, also advocated for increased funding for large-scale and mechanized farming.
He warned that unless urgent action is taken to ensure food security, up to 33 million Nigerians may face increased hunger in the coming months.
He stated, "Nigeria is not alone in its struggle to achieve food security. This is because armed conflict and weather shocks caused by climate change have severely hampered agricultural activities. Recognizing the imminent threat to food security, a number of countries around the world implemented a military response as an emergency measure.
"Long-term unrest caused by insurgency, banditry, and farmer/herder clashes throughout Nigeria have hampered agriculture. To address this, the DHQ has made operational plans to prioritize the protection of farmers' successful harvests across the country.
"Moreover, to address the effects of weather shocks, there is a need to invest in agricultural infrastructure that embraces all seasons of farming. As the Federal Government focuses on cultivating over 10 million hectares of arable land across the country, this expo provides an opportunity to develop practical solutions for achieving the National Food Security Scheme.
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