Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON

We are taking further steps to strengthen agricultural interventions and address the challenges facing our farmers. Following a high-level meeting chaired by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, a technical committee has been constituted to accelerate work on wheat and other staple crops, dry-season farming and livestock development. The committee will bring together relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to improve coordination, identify gaps and develop practical solutions that can deliver results on the ground. We also discussed the importance of stronger collaboration with state and local governments as we expand all-year-round farming and make better use of available resources. By bringing the relevant institutions together and coordinating our interventions more effectively, we can respond faster to the needs of farmers and create the conditions for increased agricultural production and stronger food security.

During the World Food Forum 2026 in Rome, I reviewed a presentation on Ekolive, a mineral-based agricultural input designed to complement fertiliser and improve crop performance. The team shared trial results from Ghana, Kenya and Nigeria, covering crops including rice, cucumber, okra and millet. We discussed the potential for locally validated trials in Nigeria, particularly in collaboration with research institutions and farmer clusters. I emphasised that any technology considered for wider use must undergo rigorous testing under Nigeria’s different soil, climate and cropping conditions, alongside the necessary safety and regulatory assessments. We remain open to innovations that can improve productivity, support our farmers and strengthen Nigeria’s food security, guided by evidence and results.

One of the ways we can help our farmers produce more is by making irrigation simpler, more affordable and accessible. At FAO Headquarters in Rome, I met with Kickstart to explore practical irrigation solutions for smallholder farmers, including affordable water pumps and solar-powered options. We looked beyond the equipment itself. We discussed training, maintenance, local dealer networks and models that can make irrigation services available to farmers without placing the full cost on them. We are also exploring partnerships with development and climate finance institutions to support a pilot programme in selected states. For us, the objective is straightforward: give farmers greater control over water, extend the farming season and create more opportunities for production throughout the year. A farmer should not have to wait for the rains to farm.

In Rome, I met with the FAO Investment Centre to strengthen our collaboration in mobilising investment for Nigeria’s agricultural sector. We discussed how to connect viable Nigerian opportunities with investors, expand domestic processing and attract anchor investments across our priority value chains. We also reviewed ongoing support from development partners, including EBRD’s entry into Nigeria, World Bank support for AgriConnect and FAO’s technical assistance for the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones. Our focus is clear: stronger links between farmers, processing, infrastructure and finance, while creating an environment where investors can commit to Nigeria with confidence. We remain committed to building an agricultural sector that creates jobs, strengthens food security and delivers greater value for Nigerians.

Strengthening local production is key to building a resilient agrifood system. At the FAO Headquarters in Rome, I met with Nestlé to explore opportunities to expand local sourcing in Nigeria’s dairy, onion and cereal value chains. We discussed practical ways to connect farmers with industry, improve production, strengthen technical support and reduce reliance on imports. There is a clear opportunity to deepen partnerships between government, development partners and the private sector to create stronger markets and better opportunities for our farmers.

At the FAO Headquarters in Rome, I engaged with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations on strengthening the participation of young people and women in Nigeria’s agrifood systems. We discussed practical ways to connect youth-led agricultural initiatives, strengthen agricultural education and create greater opportunities for young Nigerians to contribute to policy, enterprise and food systems development. I reaffirmed our commitment to ensuring that Nigeria’s youth and women are not just participants, but key drivers of our agricultural transformation and food security agenda.

In Rome, I met with representatives of Dimitra to explore how digital technology can support Nigerian farmers, strengthen agricultural value chains and unlock new opportunities in carbon projects. We discussed the use of digital solutions for farmer data, supply chain traceability and productivity across key commodities, as well as helping farmers meet emerging international sustainability and traceability requirements. We also explored carbon credit opportunities and, importantly, how to ensure that farmers benefit from these projects and are adequately supported through the transition to regenerative agricultural practices. We agreed to continue discussions on practical models for investment, revenue sharing and implementation in Nigeria.

At the IFAD14 High-Level Roundtable in Rome, I called for greater investment in Africa’s agricultural “first mile”, particularly in the areas that connect farmers to markets, finance and better income opportunities. Food security is not only about how much we produce. It is also about what happens after production, including access to markets, value addition, job creation and stronger rural economies. Nigeria’s experience with the IFAD-supported Value Chain Development Programme shows what is possible. The programme has connected 62% of participating smallholders to off-takers, increased average wet-season rice yields from 1.5 to 4.5 tonnes per hectare and created 11,890 permanent jobs. We must continue investing in programmes that put farmers at the centre and deliver real improvements in incomes, productivity and rural employment.

I chaired a presentation by Daki Farm in Rome on its digital agriculture platform and how its technology could support Nigeria’s agricultural sector. The platform brings together tools such as artificial intelligence, satellite technology, smart irrigation, crop disease detection and digital marketplaces to support farmers from production to market. I was particularly interested in its multilingual and audio-enabled features, including Hausa, which can help make digital agricultural services more accessible to more farmers. We also discussed how Daki Farm could complement Nigeria’s existing digital agriculture initiatives, improve agricultural data and traceability, and support better decisions for farmers, investors and policymakers. We will continue the engagement to explore practical areas where this technology can add value to Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.

At the Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum in Rome, Nigeria showcased $3.2 billion in agrifood investment opportunities across tomato, cassava, maize, dairy, fisheries and aquaculture, and beef feedlots. With our growing population, vast agricultural land and significant opportunities for import substitution and value addition, Nigeria offers a strong market for investors looking to participate in the transformation of our agricultural sector. We are committed to working with the private sector and development partners to unlock these opportunities, expand processing, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen agricultural value chains across the country.

STATEMENT BY THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY, SENATOR ABUBAKAR KYARI, CON, ON THE KILLING OF FARMERS IN MARTE, BORNO STATE I am deeply saddened and outraged by the tragic killing of 15 farmers in Marte Local Government Area of Borno State by suspected terrorists. These innocent Nigerians lost their lives while working on their farms to earn a living and contribute to the food security of our nation. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, the people of Marte, His Excellency the Executive Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum CON, FNSE, FNIAE mni, the Government and people of Borno State. I pray that Almighty Allah grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort their families. The killing of farmers is not only an attack on innocent lives and livelihoods, but also on our collective efforts to achieve food security. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, we remain committed to creating an environment where farmers can cultivate their lands safely and productively. I commend our security agencies for their efforts to protect farming communities and urge them to intensify operations to bring those responsible to justice and locate the three persons reportedly still missing. Protecting our farmers is protecting Nigeria’s food security. May Almighty Allah continue to protect our farmers, rural communities and our nation. Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security

Africa will have 2.5 billion people by 2050. How do we feed that population if the knowledge reaching our farmers does not grow with it? At the Africa Agribusiness Extension Summit 2026 in Abuja, I challenged us to rethink agricultural extension and treat it as critical infrastructure for Africa’s transformation. Technology must help us take the right advice to the right farmer, for the right crop, at the right time. I was also pleased to launch IrokoAI.NG, an AI-powered agricultural advisory tool that gives farmers access to expert guidance through USSD, SMS and voice, while connecting more complex questions to trained agronomists. In Nigeria, over 100,000 farmers across six states are already receiving weekly weather and crop-protection messages, with more than 1,000 digital extension agents deployed with tablets. The question is no longer whether technology can transform agricultural extension. The question is: how quickly can we take it to every farmer who needs it? We must build an extension system capable of serving the Africa of tomorrow.

Happy Independence Day Nigeria! 🇳🇬

We are building an agricultural system where every farmer can be identified, every farm can be located, and every intervention can reach the right beneficiary. At the AGROW National Strategic Dialogue in Abuja, I emphasised the need for a robust digital farmer registry linking farmers to their farms, crops and needs. This data will strengthen planning and help us deliver inputs, financing, extension services and other support more effectively.

I welcomed the inauguration of the Coalition of Farmers Associations for Food Security in Nigeria (COA-FARMERS), a platform bringing together 99 farmer and commodity organisations across the agricultural value chain. In its presentation, the Coalition stated its support for the continuity of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pro-farmer reforms and outlined its intention to mobilise farmers across the country. It also committed to working with government to strengthen agricultural policies, interventions and value-chain development. I encouraged the Coalition to keep Nigerian farmers at the centre of its work and to remain a constructive partner in advancing our nation’s food security agenda.

At the launch of the Nigeria AgriConnect Compact at IITA, Ibadan, I emphasised the need to better connect our investments in irrigation, mechanisation, finance, research, processing and market access for greater impact. The Compact provides a framework to align these efforts, strengthen agricultural value chains and expand access to finance as we drive a more productive and resilient agricultural sector. By 2030, AgriConnect targets 2.56 million direct jobs, quality inputs for 9.54 million farmers and 90,000 hectares of irrigation infrastructure.

We were asked during the World Press Conference about the measures we are adopting to bolster food production, especially in areas affected by insecurity. We are not yet where we want to be, but we are making progress. Food production is increasing across Nigeria, prices are beginning to come down, and areas that have been liberated from insecurity are returning to productive farming. As a Ministry, we remain committed to building a more productive, resilient and food-secure Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.

Happy 66th Birthday, Your Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON. I warmly celebrate our First Lady on the occasion of her 66th birthday. Your compassion, kindness and genuine concern for the wellbeing of Nigerians continue to shine through the work you do, particularly under the Renewed Hope Initiative, which has touched the lives of many women, young people, children and farmers across the country. On behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Nigerian agricultural community and my family, I wish you many more years in good health, happiness and fulfilment. May Almighty God continue to guide, strengthen and bless you as you support the administration of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and serve our nation. Happy Birthday, Your Excellency. Many happy returns.

Africa has the resources to feed itself and become a global food powerhouse. What we need is greater investment in processing, storage, logistics, financing and intra-African trade. At the Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) 2026 in Abuja, I emphasised the need to turn our vast agricultural potential into value for farmers, businesses and economies. Through initiatives such as the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme and the opportunities presented by AfCFTA, we can build stronger value chains, create jobs, strengthen food security and ensure better returns for our farmers.

At #AFSF2026 in Kigali, I called for increased investment in science, standards and enterprise to scale up fermentation and unlock its nutritional and economic potential. Fermented foods such as ogi, kunu and garri are central to Nigeria’s food culture. With innovation, we can improve nutrition, food safety, livelihoods and market opportunities, particularly for women and young people.