The Nation Newspaper

Category: Agriculture

  • Jigawa, Argentina strengthen livestock ties as Nigeria advances Alfalfa‑led export strategy

    Jigawa, Argentina strengthen livestock ties as Nigeria advances Alfalfa‑led export strategy

    Governor Umar Namadi-led Jigawa State Government is translating federal livestock reforms into subnational action through strategic partnerships aligned with the Jigawa State Agricultural Transformation Policy.

    A major milestone in this effort was the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Jigawa State Government and El‑Meena Farms Ltd, which launched the Jigawa Alfalfa Value Chain Development Initiative.

    The project targets a 100,000-hectare mega-estate from a 1,000-hectare pilot, an annual output of 2.0 million metric tonnes of alfalfa, and over 100,000 jobs, positioning Jigawa as the hub of livestock feed production and agro-exports in Nigeria and West Africa.

    To ensure evidence-based execution and learn from proven global models, Governor Namadi recently led a high-level delegation of public and private stakeholders on a technical and investment engagement to Córdoba Province, Argentina.

    Argentina, well advanced in research-driven agriculture, smart irrigation, mechanisation, and agro-industrial development, is currently the world’s second-largest producer of alfalfa, with Córdoba serving as its largest production hub.

    The Nigerian mission included officials of the Jigawa Government, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), El-Meena Farms Ltd, Jigawa El-Meena Farms (the SPV), Nigeria Export‑Import Bank (NEXIM), Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Jaiz Bank, Saudi Arabia’s Alkhorayef Group, and Cape Mano Agriculture.

    Read Also: University of Cambridge Returns 116 Benin Artefacts to Nigeria

    The delegation toured major forage processing and animal nutrition facilities, including Megafardos del Norte, Nafosa, Pellfood, and Biofarma S.A., gaining first-hand exposure to large-scale alfalfa production, feed processing, livestock nutrition systems, and export logistics.

    The mission also visited the Governor of Córdoba Province, culminating in the signing of an additional MoU between Jigawa State and Córdoba Province. It formalises cooperation in livestock development, sustainable alfalfa production, irrigation innovation, applied research, and agro-industrial value chains.

    Facilitated by NITDA, under its Regional Digital Innovation and Investment Programme (RegDIIP), the Argentina engagement demonstrates how technology, applied research, and international partnerships can unlock regional competitive advantage.

    Insights from NITDA and the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme (MIT-REAP) further validate alfalfa as an impactful feed input capable of improving livestock productivity, reducing feed shortages, easing farmer–herder tensions, and supporting export-driven systems.

    The Jigawa-El‑Meena MoU signed in December 2025 aims to cultivate 100,000 hectares of premium alfalfa, with projected annual export revenues estimated between $440 million and $540 million. Alkhorayef Group is the technical partner for irrigation infrastructure.

    At the signing ceremony in Dutse, Governor Namadi, who described the project as a cornerstone of his administration’s economic agenda, noted that it represents an economic bridge between Nigeria and the Middle East.

    “By combining Jigawa’s vast land resources with El-Meena’s operational expertise and Saudi Arabia’s superior irrigation technology, we are building a secure, high-value export corridor that aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” the governor said.

    The scheme is structured around the NEXIM Bank–Saudi EXIM Bank export-financing window, with an initial $5 million capital outlay earmarked for advanced centre-pivot irrigation systems for the 1,000-hectare pilot phase.

  • Fed Govt records 2.5m metric tonnes of food output under NAGS-AP in four years

    Fed Govt records 2.5m metric tonnes of food output under NAGS-AP in four years

    The Federal Government has revealed that more than 2.5 million metric tonnes of food were produced nationwide under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) Project over a four-year period, with an estimated economic value of N2.31 trillion.

    Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi stated that the programme recorded a cumulative output of 2,536,184 metric tonnes of agricultural produce across four planting seasons, describing the outcome as a significant boost to food supply and a key factor in the gradual stabilisation of food prices across the country.

    According to him, the NAGS-AP Project was launched as part of the Federal Government’s Food Security Emergency Support Programme to close food supply gaps and ensure sustainable food and nutrition security nationwide.

    The minister explained that the initiative targets six major staple crops such as wheat, rice, maize, sorghum, soybean and cassava and has played a critical role in improving food availability.

    “Food prices are already showing signs of decline, while efforts are ongoing to address the high cost of agricultural inputs,” the minister said.

    He reaffirmed the commitment of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to revitalising the agricultural sector, noting that the declaration of a state of emergency on food and nutrition security demonstrates the government’s determination to make nutritious and affordable food accessible to Nigerians.

    Senator Abdullahi further disclosed that preparations were nearing completion for the rollout of additional interventions, including a Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) loan project and the National Agricultural Growth Scheme (NAGS 2.0).

    He explained that the JICA-backed initiative would concentrate on rice, maize, soybean and cassava production, while NAGS 2.0 would focus on wheat and rice cultivation beginning from the 2026 wet season.

    For the 2025/2026 dry season, the minister said the programme would support the production of rice, maize and cassava across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

    He added that the workshop was organised to assess lessons from previous implementation phases, identify challenges and adopt innovative approaches to enhance efficiency, transparency and overall impact. This, he said, would be achieved through a revised operational framework developed in partnership with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA).

    Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the strong participation of stakeholders underscored the relevance and success of the NAGS-AP Project.

    Ogunbiyi noted that the workshop was aimed at thoroughly reviewing the strengths and shortcomings of earlier implementation cycles, while validating a new framework designed to strengthen collaboration between the NAGS-AP Project Secretariat, the BOA and other key stakeholders.

    He disclosed that an integrated ICT-driven platform had been introduced under the new framework to clearly outline roles and responsibilities and enhance coordination among all parties involved in executing the project.

    “The Ministry expects stakeholders to provide candid contributions that will help build a system that works for everyone and delivers sustainable results,” he said.

    The two-day workshop is expected to generate practical recommendations that will shape future implementation of the NAGS-AP Project and related programmes.

    If you want it shorter, more formal, or headline-ready, just say the word.

  • RULAAC calls for stronger police-media collaboration to rebuild public trust

    RULAAC calls for stronger police-media collaboration to rebuild public trust

    The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has emphasized the urgent need for enhanced collaboration between the Nigeria Police and the media to restore public confidence and improve policing outcomes across the country.

    RULAAC Executive Director, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, made the remarks during a One-Day Police and Media Dialogue Session in Enugu, noting that effective policing in a democracy cannot exist without public trust.

    He highlighted that the relationship between the police and the public remains fragile due to years of corruption, brutality, weak accountability, and poor service delivery.

    “Most citizens form their perception of the police through personal encounters and media reports, making the media a key partner in policing reforms,” Nwanguma said.

    He added that many Nigerians, particularly youths, women, and other vulnerable groups, often view the police as agents of fear rather than protection, underscoring the need for urgent reform and engagement.

    He noted that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence frequently face secondary victimisation at police stations through disbelief, stigma, extortion and ridicule, discouraging them from seeking justice.

    He described the Nigeria Police Act 2020 as a landmark reform meant to promote professionalism, accountability, human rights protection, community policing and gender-sensitive law enforcement.

    The RULAAC boss, however, lamented that implementation of the Act remains weak nearly six years after its enactment, citing persistent cases of monetised bail, illegal detention, torture, abuse of power and ineffective oversight.

    He said entrenched impunity, corruption and lack of political will have undermined the objectives of the law.

    On gender-responsive policing, Nwanguma said law enforcement must recognise that crime and policing affect men, women, boys and girls differently.

    He stressed the need for sensitive handling of sexual and gender-based violence cases and improved protection, training and career opportunities for female police officers.

    He said mutual suspicion continues to characterise police-media relations, with police accusing journalists of sensational reporting, while journalists complain of secrecy, harassment and arrests in the course of duty.

    Nwanguma warned that intimidation of journalists weakens press freedom and public confidence, while unverified reports can also damage institutional credibility.

    He called for regular dialogue platforms, joint training, improved information sharing and stronger police public relations systems to strengthen cooperation.

    Speaking in a related presentation on humanising the police, Nwanguma said poor welfare and working conditions have contributed significantly to corruption and misconduct within the force.

    He said many officers operate without adequate allowances, accommodation, logistics and equipment, creating conditions that encourage unethical conduct.

    He maintained that improving police welfare is a strategic measure to reduce corruption and enhance professionalism, not a reward for misconduct.

    While condemning corruption, he said some officers remain committed to ethical service but are often overshadowed by widespread misconduct.

    Nwanguma said the Police Act provides for recognition and commendation of officers who demonstrate professionalism and integrity, but noted that the provision is underutilised.

    He recalled that during the #EndSARS protests in 2020, some police officers maintained their posts and engaged peacefully with protesters because they had built community trust through professionalism.

    According to him, deliberate recognition and reward of ethical officers would help reinforce professional standards and gradually transform police culture.

    He stressed that sustainable police reform must combine improved welfare with strict accountability mechanisms.

    Nwanguma described the police and the media as partners in public safety, democracy and human rights, urging both sides to embrace transparency, professionalism and continuous engagement.

    He said stronger police-media cooperation would encourage crime reporting, improve policing effectiveness, enhance protection for vulnerable groups and strengthen democratic governance.

  • Post-harvest equipment coming for Nasarawa farmers

    Post-harvest equipment coming for Nasarawa farmers

    The Federal Government has flagged off the distribution of processing and post-harvest equipment to farmers and agribusiness groups supported by the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Nasarawa State, as part of efforts to strengthen agribusiness and enhance food security.

    The flag-off ceremony, held in Lafia during a two-day working visit to the state, was led by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.

    He said the intervention was designed to add value to agricultural produce, reduce post-harvest losses, empower women and youth farmers, encourage competitiveness, and boost productivity.

    According to the minister, the equipment will also support enterprise growth, deepen market participation, and expand opportunities for rural employment.

    READ ALSO: The dynamics of Kano governor’s defection

    Senator Kyari explained that the programme, implemented in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), is aimed at addressing structural constraints in the rice and cassava value chains through integrated investments in production, aggregation, processing, infrastructure, market access, and institutional strengthening, in alignment with the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP).

    He underscored the programme’s alignment with the agricultural transformation agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration, stating that “agriculture must deliver results, food for our people, jobs for our youth, income for our farmers, and stability for our nation.”

    He added, “Under Mr. President’s leadership, agriculture is being transformed into a modern, market-oriented and private-sector-driven enterprise, with Nasarawa State leading the way.”

    The minister further highlighted the Nasarawa Agro-Commodity Company (NASACCO) and the One-Stop Investment Centre (OSIC) as key initiatives strengthening the state’s investment climate.

    He commended Governor Abdullahi Sule for his commitment to large-scale cultivation, noting that the state’s efforts would help boost domestic food supply, stabilise prices, conserve foreign exchange, and create jobs.

    Pointing to visible outcomes of federal-state collaboration, Senator Kyari said functional aggregation centres, modern processing facilities, and strengthened producer organisations were already making an impact. “These interventions are creating jobs, stabilising rural incomes, and strengthening Nasarawa State’s contribution to national food security,” he said.

    In his remarks, Nasarawa State Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, said the state government had aligned its agricultural programmes with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at economic diversification and wealth creation for Nigerian farmers.

    He noted that ongoing reforms in the sector would empower youth and women farmers, increase production, and improve internally generated revenue.

    Earlier, in her welcome address, the National Programme Coordinator of the FGN/IFAD-Value Chain Development Programme, Dr. Fatima Aliyu, said the initiative supports rice and cassava smallholder farmers through a value-chain approach to enhance productivity, promote agro-processing, and increase access to markets.

    She added that the programme would transform rural agriculture by improving food security, raising incomes, and creating new employment opportunities.

    Speaking on behalf of beneficiaries, the Chairman of the Ashangwa Rice Innovation Platform, Patience Wombo, pledged that the association would maintain and protect all facilities provided by the VCDP to ensure increased production, packaging, and distribution of agricultural products.

    In a related event, the minister commissioned several FGN/IFAD-VCDP projects in Lafia, including the Value Chain Innovation Rice Processing Centre in Ashangwa, the Gidi Gidi Garri Processing Centre, and the Agi Alo Rice Processing Centre, among others.

    Highlights of the two-day working visit included the distribution of agricultural inputs comprising 46 tricycles, 16 rice steam parboiling machines, 18 rice milling machines, 10 rice de-stoning machines, three rice colour-sorting machines, 11 digital weighing scales, two rice de-husking machines, four cassava grating machines, four cassava manual fryers, three automated framers, and three hydraulic pressers. The visit also featured a courtesy call on the Governor of Nasarawa State.

  • Standard Chartered’s sixth Women in Tech Cohort target food security, health

    Standard Chartered’s sixth Women in Tech Cohort target food security, health

    The sixth cohort of Standard Chartered Women in Tech Nigeria Accelerator delivered in partnership with Village Capital and Enterprise Development Centre represents a departure from typical tech investment trends. While much of Africa’s startup ecosystem gravitates toward artificial intelligence features and fintech payments, these 12 entrepreneurs are tackling the fundamental challenges that have long hindered the continent’s progress: food security, healthcare access, financial exclusion, and education gaps. This is infrastructure for a functioning society, built by 12 female entrepreneurs who are solving some of the continent’s most pressing challenges.

    Securing Food and Energy

    In agriculture, Chinwendu Nweke is building Bridge Merchant, a revolutionizing supply chains to reduce post-harvest losses that cost Nigerian farmers billions annually.

    Read Also: Culture doesn’t justify abuse of women, children, says Sanusi

    Meanwhile, Ogheneosivwime Jehwe’s Mimshack Anointed powers rural communities and businesses with solar energy solutions, providing the electricity backbone essential for development.

    A Healthcare Safety Net

    The healthtech founders are improving access to care in practical ways. Blessing Aniefiok’s Dynalimb Technologies produces affordable prosthetics, helping amputees regain mobility. Kemi Olakunle’s HealthVest uses AI and savings wallets to make healthcare more affordable. Esther Eruchie’s FriendnPal provides mental health support in communities where these services are limited or stigmatized, while Sarah Andino’s Talktu offers speech therapy for children who might otherwise miss early intervention.

    Digitizing the Informal Economy

    In finance and commerce, Olapeju Nwanganga’s Ploutos Page is bringing Nigeria’s vast informal economy dominated by market women and small traders into the digital age. Linda Ekweogu’s TradeTracka builds trust mechanisms into e-commerce platforms, while Lilian Dike’s Spyce Social applies HR expertise to foster professional and personal connections that strengthen business networks.

    Systemic Change, Not Luxury Apps

    What unites these entrepreneurs is their focus on systemic change. They are not building luxury applications for Nigeria’s urban elite in suburban areas. Instead, they are designing platforms that serve smallholder farmers, amputees, market women, and students struggling to access quality education. Their technologies are engines of inclusion, designed to integrate millions of Nigerians into the formal, thriving economy.

  • Ex-Ekiti Commissioner unveils N2bn agro-processing firm

    Ex-Ekiti Commissioner unveils N2bn agro-processing firm

    Former Ekiti Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security,  Prince Olabode Adetoyi, has unveiled a N2bn agro-processing firm, Value Ingredients Limited. 

    Adetoyi, who is the Managing Director of the firm, stated that the company was primarily established  to address post-harvest losses,  promote healthy living, and add value to locally produced agricultural products while strengthening Nigeria’s economy.

    The former Commissioner spoke in Ado -Ekiti on Wednesday during a get-together party and exhibition of the  company’s products in commemoration of his birthday. 

    He explained that the company’s flagship products are produced from natural raw materials and aligned with its philosophy of innovation, value addition, and healthy living.  

    Adetoyi disclosed that he has invested heavily in the company, adding that the high-tech machines and state of the art facilities in the firm are  valued at over N2bn.

    He said that the investment has boosted local production capacity and created employment opportunities, stressing that the company prioritises processing agricultural produce locally rather than transporting raw materials to cities such as Lagos or Abuja.

    He noted that the company cultivates yam, plantains, maize and  cassava processes them into products including Poundo yam,  unripe plantain flour, dry Ogi powder, odourless fufu, and garri.

    Read Also: PDP condemns Senate’s rejection of electronic transmission of results

    Adetoyi added that  Value Ingredients Limited works closely with farmers in the state offering guidance on standard agronomic practices to ensure quality control and traceability of raw materials used in production.

    He further explained that the firm uses organic fertilisers and no preservatives, noting that its processing method enable its products such to retain their nutrients for up to two years.

    He revealed that the firm is expanding its production capacity following positive feedback from market research, which showed strong consumer acceptance of its products.

    The ex-commissioner added  that the company is  focused on encouraging local consumption, supporting farmers, and positioning Nigerian-made products for both domestic and international markets

    He disclosed that the firm has created both direct and indirect jobs, with about 50 people employed directly by the company, while another 50 earn their livelihoods through farming and related activities linked to the value chain.

    He also highlighted the firm’s partnership with the faculty of agriculture, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) where over 300 students are engaged in agricultural programmes that supply raw materials to the company.

  • Farming: Nigeria’s path to $1tr economy

    Farming: Nigeria’s path to $1tr economy

    The Federal Government is aiming to build a $1 trillion economy under its long-term development plan by boosting income per person to $33,000 and attracting at least $100 billion in yearly investments, largely from the private sector.

    This will happen under the country’s Agenda 2050, a national plan that looks into the future, while a faster target under the Renewed Hope Agenda is aiming to reach the $1 trillion economic mark by 2030.

    Both plans, according to government officials, are now being brought together in the 2026–2030 medium-term development framework.

    Speaking at the Nigeria Agribusiness Group 2026 Presidential Agricultural Policy Dialogue in Abuja, the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu, said agribusiness holds a key place in Nigeria’s push to diversify its economy, grow the private sector, and create opportunities that benefit people across the country.

    He said the government is ready to work closely with investors and producers to open up lasting opportunities across the entire agricultural value chain, from farming to processing and marketing.

    Bagudu admitted that the country is still far from reaching its ambitious targets but stressed that the administration is focused on putting in place the right environment to attract the level of investment needed to move the economy forward.

    READ ALSO: U.S. confirms troops on ground in Nigeria amid ISIS counterterror push

    “This Government has demonstrated its willingness through policy support, strategic financing, and partnerships aimed at modernising agriculture, livestock development, fisheries, and agro-processing,” he said while delivering his address as the guest of honour at the event.

    The minister explained that Agenda 2050 is not just a government document but a national framework developed with the input of the private sector, public institutions, state governments, and civil society groups, all working towards a shared vision for Nigeria’s future.

    He assured policy experts, business leaders, and civil society organisations at the dialogue that President Bola Tinubu’s administration will use its Renewed Hope Agenda, which he described as based on practical thinking and shared responsibility, to drive the goals of Agenda 2050 and move the country closer to its long-term economic dreams.

  • NADF moves to standardise fertiliser use, validates harmonised national manual

    NADF moves to standardise fertiliser use, validates harmonised national manual

    The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has commenced the validation of a Harmonised Fertiliser Application Manual, aimed at improving crop productivity, protecting soil health and promoting sustainable farming practices across Nigeria’s diverse agro-ecological zones.

    Speaking at the National Stakeholders Workshop on the validation of the manual on February 3, 2026, in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the document was the outcome of months of technical collaboration and review by key stakeholders.

    According to him, the workshop was convened to ensure the manual is practical and effective for end users.

    Ibrahim emphasised the critical role of fertiliser in agricultural productivity, warning against improper application.

    “Many of you will recall our pre-workshop on the ‘harmonised input application manual’ held in Abuja on the 23rd of June 2025. Since then, the technical working group, with support from research institutes and partners, has worked through several iterations to produce the draft manual before us today.

    READ ALSO: U.S. confirms troops on ground in Nigeria amid ISIS counterterror push

     “The purpose of today’s workshop is clear: to validate the manual, agree on the final technical positions, and ensure it is practical for farmers, extension workers, and other end users across our different agro-ecological zones,” he stated.

    Speaking further, he noted that fertiliser is a major driver of productivity, but it only delivers value when it is applied correctly and responsibly.

    “When guidance is inconsistent or fragmented, we lose efficiency, and we risk long-term damage to soil health,” he said, adding that a harmonised national manual would promote better yields, smarter input use, and more sustainable farming practices.”

    He noted that the initiative aligns with NADF’s mandate, stressing that, “We are focused on impact, improving productivity, safeguarding soil health, and strengthening food security.”

    Also speaking, the Director of Farm Inputs Support Services (FISS), Mr. Abana Waziri Abba, described the workshop as a critical step towards improving Nigeria’s agricultural outcomes.

    He identified low soil fertility as a major constraint to agricultural productivity in the country.

    Abba noted that fertiliser use has long been guided by blanket recommendations that fail to account for soil variability and farmers’ economic realities.

    “In Nigeria today, low soil fertility is one of the main factors causing low agricultural productivity. Application of manures and fertilizers has the means of replenishing the nutrient-supplying capacity of soils,” he said.

     “Blanket fertiliser application recommendations may lead farmers to over-fertilize in some areas and under-fertilize in others or apply an improper balance of nutrients for their soil or crop,” he explained.

    He said the validation of the manual represents a shift towards precision agriculture.

    “By validating this manual, we are ensuring that farmers apply the right nutrients at the right rate, at the right time, and in the right place,” he said, adding that the goal is to move to “site-specific fertilizer recommendations that are scientifically sound, economically viable, and environmentally sustainable.”

    Abba further noted that the exercise would help address micronutrient deficiencies in food. “The validation exercise to be carried out today is aimed at addressing the challenge of hidden hunger, lack of vitamins and minerals in food,” he said.

    He underscored the link between soil health, nutrition and wellbeing, stating, “Healthy soils give rise to healthy plants which when consumed by humans, give rise to healthy life. So, the effort goes beyond food security but also nutrition security.”

  • ‘Farmers lost N5trillion to poor weather forecasts’

    ‘Farmers lost N5trillion to poor weather forecasts’

    The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) hinted that Nigerian farmers lost about N5 trillion productive capital between 2024 and 2025 to poor and misleading weather forecasts by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) as well as policy-induced crashes.

    It declared that Nigeria’s agriculture sector is in a deep structural crisis.

    In a statement, the group’s Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat described the losses as direct agricultural capital destruction at the producer level, stressing that the estimate does not include secondary economic effects such as consumer inflation, GDP contraction, foreign exchange pressure, or security related costs.

     “Those impacts come later. What has already happened is the liquidation of farmer capital,” PeacePro said.

    He added that Nigeria did not successfully “control food prices between 202 and 2025. Instead, a combination of poorly timed policy interventions, price suppression mechanisms, weak market coordination, and unreliable weather forecasting by NiMet forced farmers to sell produce below cost, wiping out the capital required to sustain future production cycles.”

    READ ALSO: Mutfwang, Plateau APC and 2027 battle

     “This was not a market correction. It was a policy shock that transferred value away from producers.

    The statement said that while Nigeria has an estimated of between 38 and 40 million people engaged in agriculture, clarifying that the most severe damage was concentrated among market facing producers, not subsistence farmers.

    It added that “although subsistence farmers were also adversely affected, particularly by poor and misleading weather forecasts issued by NiMet.

    “The most affected group includes 6–8 million producers, small and medium scale commercial farmers, storage poor price taking producers, farmers engaged in grains, tubers, vegetables, and legumes.

    The group maintained that the scale of destruction is comparable to a financial sector collapse, with one critical difference.

     “This crisis did not happen in banks or stock markets.

    It happened quietly, in farms and rural communities, cautioning that depleted farmer capital will inevitably lead to reduced planting in 2026, lower domestic food supply, higher future food prices, increased rural poverty and social instability, the statement added.

    PeacePro therefore urged Nigerian authorities to publicly acknowledge the scale of agricultural capital destruction and immediately shift policy away from short term price suppression toward producer protection, capital preservation, and market stability.

  • Nigeria earns $400m from cashew exports as stakeholders push for better data, $1bn target

    Nigeria earns $400m from cashew exports as stakeholders push for better data, $1bn target

    Stakeholders in Nigeria’s cashew sector have renewed calls for improved export data collection and tracking systems to fully harness the industry’s economic potential, as the country currently earns about $400 million annually from cashew exports.

    The call was made at the 4th National Cashew Day organised by the National Cashew Association of Nigeria (NCAN), where industry players assessed sector performance and outlined strategies ahead of the forthcoming trading season.

    Speaking at the event, NCAN National President, Dr. Ojo Joseph Ajanaku, said Nigeria possesses the natural resources needed to reclaim its status as a leading global cashew producer but is constrained by weak production and export data systems.

    “Nigeria has the land, the weather and the population advantage to be number one in the world again. What we are doing now is to energise stakeholders to push production capacity higher and grow the industry”, Ajanaku said.

    He noted that the cashew industry has experienced significant growth, expanding from minimal export levels in the early 2000s to nearly 600,000 metric tonnes exported annually.

    However, Ajanaku said official figures do not capture the sector’s full value, as some exporters operate outside formal channels and fail to properly document exports or repatriate proceeds.

    “The $400 million you are seeing is what came back to Nigeria. We would have earned more if we had the right structure to track what is produced and what leaves the country,” he said.

    To close the data gap, Ajanaku disclosed that the current administration is rolling out an income farmers’ mapper aimed at mapping cashew farms nationwide, monitoring production volumes and tracking export movements.

    According to him, the initiative will provide the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS) with accurate and verifiable industry data.

    Beyond data issues, NCAN expressed concern over Nigeria’s low level of cashew processing, warning that limited value addition is depriving the economy of billions of dollars in revenue and employment opportunities.

    Ajanaku called on the Federal Government to support Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZs) with dedicated agro-processing loans at single-digit interest rates to help local processors remain competitive.

    “We have intervention funds from the Central Bank, NEXIM, Bank of Industry, Bank of Agriculture and others. With loans below 10 per cent, processors can compete and add value locally,” he said, adding that Nigeria’s proximity gives it a logistics advantage in supplying European and United States markets faster than Asian competitors.

    Also speaking, President of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria (FACAN), Sheriff Balogun, said the event would help align stakeholders across the cashew value chain and set the pace for a stronger 2026/2027 trading season.

    Balogun noted that NBS data shows Nigeria’s non-oil exports increased from about $5 billion to $6.1 billion, with cashew contributing over $400 million from more than 300,000 tonnes exported.

    “That is huge for one commodity. With proper planning, we can push cashew export earnings to $1 billion in the coming years”, he said.

    He added that Nigeria currently processes only 20–30 per cent of its cashew production locally, stressing that increased value addition could raise earnings more than fivefold while creating substantial employment.

    Stakeholders agreed that strengthening export data integrity, expanding local processing capacity and improving access to affordable finance are key to transforming cashew into a billion-dollar agribusiness.

    “With coordination across farmers, processors, marketers and exporters, the entire value chain stands to benefit,” Balogun said, expressing optimism for improved outcomes in the new trading season.