World Food Day: FG Takes Bold Steps to Transform Agricultural Sector
As Nigeria joins the world to celebrate the global Food Day, a moment to raise awareness about hunger and malnutrition, the Federal Government has unveiled a series of bold initiatives to revolutionize the agricultural sector.
These efforts aim to boost food production, ensure its security, promote sustainable practices through improved stakeholders’ farmer support, ultimately transforming the sector and improving the lives of millions of Nigerians.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi who disclosed this at a Ministerial Press Briefing to commemorate the 2025 World Food Day, Thursday, stated that the government has fashioned out a clear policy direction to provide a roadmap for the strategic implementation of key programmes and projects aimed at increasing agricultural output and enhancing livelihood.
The policy direction, he said, is geared towards sustaining the contribution of agriculture to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Abdullahi highlighted some initiatives taken by the government to boost agricultural production, including the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanization Programme aimed at empowering smallholder farmers with modern equipment, reducing manual labour, and increasing yields.
The Minister noted that the programme has already recorded significant success, with the launch of 2,000 tractors and over 9,000 specialized farming implements for the cultivation of over 550,000 hectares of farmland and an expected outcome of over two million metric tons of staple foods as well as job creation for women and the teeming youth
He added that the government has also approved the recapitalization of the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) with a massive N1.5 trillion, marking a monumental milestone in Nigeria’s agricultural financing landscape. The BOA will provide credit facilities to smallholder farmers at single-digit interest rates, promoting agricultural growth and development.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted the establishment of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) to support growth in the Nigerian Agriculture sector by facilitating access to finance and fostering long-term stability through diverse funding sources. He stated that the government is bolstering climate-resilient practices, including drought-tolerant crops, efficient irrigation, and agroforestry, to mitigate climate impacts and strengthen economic resilience.
According to him, the Ministry has also adopted the “Every Home a Garden” Initiative of the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, to encourage gender inclusion and food production at the household level. This initiative will be institutionalized as part of the Federal Government’s National Agricultural Programme, not only to bolster food security but to also promote sustainable urban farming practices.
Abdullahi who stated that the theme: “Hands in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future” emphasizes the importance of global collaboration across governments, private sector and communities towards ensuring a food-secure future commended Nigerian farmers for their commitment despite the odds of climate change, limited access to farming inputs, among others
“I am heartened by the resilience and determination of the Nigerian farmers, who work tirelessly to feed our nation despite these daunting challenges. Battling harsh weather conditions, pests and diseases, navigating inadequate infrastructure and limited access to markets, and persevering through insecurity and economic uncertainty.” He emphasized
While commending partners, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Food Programme, Oxfam, Action Aid, and the private sector, for their contributions to the success of the World Food Day celebration, the Minister assured that the present administration will continue to initiate policies and programmes to ensure the transformation of the agricultural sector.
The Minister urged Nigerians to get involved in addressing global food challenges and food insecurity, advocating for policies and initiatives that provide short, medium, and long-term solutions to address hunger, food waste, and sustainable farming practices.
Also speaking, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, urged Nigerians to leverage the country’s abundant natural resources and vibrant youth population to boost food availability. He called on key stakeholders in the agricultural ecosystem to collaborate in ensuring that Nigeria produces what it eats and eats what it produces, thereby driving transformation in the agricultural sector.
As part of activities marking the 2025 World Food Day, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security had earlier distributed agricultural inputs to young farmers, school-based clubs, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and cooperative groups in Abuja, reaffirming the government’s commitment to ensuring all-year-round food production and promoting inclusivity in the agricultural value chain.
