FG Commits to Seed Improvement for Food Sovereignty<\/p>\n
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing seeds and achieving food sovereignty through diverse agricultural programs, policies, innovations, and global partnerships.<\/p>\n
Speaking during the 2025 World Food Forum, Global \u201cSeeds to Foods\u201d Exhibition organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, at its Headquarters in Rome, Italy, recently, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari stated that the FAO\u2013T\u00fcrkiye\u2013Nigeria South\u2013South Cooperation is a program designed to improve dry land farming, achieve food security, reduce poverty, enhance quality seeds, promote global partnership and sustainable forest management in Nigeria with Borno State as its focus.<\/p>\n
He stated that \u2018\u2019we see great potential to scale up this initiative, not only to improve livelihoods in Borno State, but to position Nigeria as a regional hub for the production and export of these high-value crops. With our vast arable land, entrepreneurial farmers, and the support of FAO, T\u00fcrkiye, and other partners, we can unlock new markets and drive inclusive agricultural growth\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Kyari noted that the partnership stands as a proof of vision in action, transforming ideas into impact and policy into progress, adding that “When we strengthen our seeds, we strengthen our farmers; when we secure our seeds, we secure our nation\u2019s future.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Minister emphasized that the program involves the exchange of knowledge and resources, focusing on introducing new crop varieties, providing training for farmers, and establishing infrastructure like irrigation systems.<\/p>\n
He added that the goal is to enhance food security and create more resilient agricultural practices through the mutual sharing of expertise between countries<\/p>\n
Kyari revealed that \u2018\u2019the project introduced 10 Turkish crop varieties alongside 5 local Nigerian varieties, conducted 219 field demonstrations and 14 seed multiplication plots, and tested three sowing windows identifying October 15 as optimal for yields\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
According to him, \u2018\u2019the effort produced 7.5 tonnes of seed, including 684 kg from newly introduced legumes (notably chickpea and lentil). Capacity building reached 186 participants, 55 of them women, through trainings and exchange visits to T\u00fcrkiye on seed processing, value addition, and post-harvest handling, backed by USD 200,000 invested in trainings, demonstrations, and institutional development. Infrastructure support included boreholes and field equipment to enable irrigation and dry-season farming\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
In a statement by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, the Ministry’s Head of Information, Kyari reiterated that \u2018\u2019the federal government will progress around one of the critical pillars of Nigeria\u2019s agricultural transformation, which is a resilient and competitive seed system. Our pursuit of food sovereignty depends on the strength of the systems we build and the consistency of the actions we take\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2019To sustain this progress, we must continue to promote policies that foster transparency, innovation, and private sector participation; invest in research and development to breed climate-resilient, high-yielding varieties; strengthen certification and quality assurance systems; and empower institutions such as the National Agricultural Seeds Council (NASC) to effectively serve both national and regional markets with certified, high-quality seeds\u2019\u2019, the Minister added.<\/p>\n
He applauded the Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, whose leadership continues to inspire national admiration, noting that, “By rebuilding communities, restoring livelihoods, and returning displaced persons to their homes and farms, he has shown that agriculture is more than an economic activity; it is a pathway to peace, stability, and dignity\u2019.”<\/p>\n
The Minister stated further that the Mohammed Lawan College of Agriculture, Maiduguri, has benefited from technical assistance in extension services, crop monitoring, and knowledge exchange. \u2018\u2019This partnership demonstrates the power of South\u2013South Cooperation in strengthening institutions and fostering innovation\u2019\u2019.<\/p>\n
He commended the Government of the Republic of T\u00fcrkiye and FAO for this innovative collaboration, which has successfully piloted the introduction of new crops \u2014 lentils, fenugreek, coriander, chickpea, black cumin, buckwheat, and dry beans \u2014 in the dry lands of Borno State.<\/p>\n
“These crops offer promising opportunities for improved nutrition, income generation, and climate resilience, representing an important step toward diversifying Nigeria\u2019s agricultural base\u2019\u2019.Kyari said<\/p>\n
The Minister appreciated the Food and Agriculture Organization on its 80th anniversary, leadership, dedication and lasting contribution to global food security as well as agricultural transformation, \u2018\u2019Nigeria salutes FAO for championing sustainable food systems across continents and for its continued support to our national agricultural transformation\u2019\u2019. He concluded<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FG Commits to Seed Improvement for Food Sovereignty The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing seeds and achieving food sovereignty through diverse agricultural programs, policies, innovations, and global partnerships. Speaking during the 2025 World Food Forum, Global \u201cSeeds to Foods\u201d Exhibition organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":149110,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[2483,2485,2261,2118],"class_list":{"0":"post-149109","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-others","8":"tag-2025-world-food-forum","9":"tag-professor-babagana-umara-zulum","10":"tag-rome","11":"tag-senator-abubakar-kyari"},"yoast_head":"\n