The Nation Newspaper

Category: Agriculture

  • Expert advocates revolutionary bottom-up water governance model at UN

    Expert advocates revolutionary bottom-up water governance model at UN

     A groundbreaking advocacy effort by a Nigerian rural development and policy expert at the United Nations has put the spotlight on community-driven water governance as a sustainable alternative to conventional water development approaches that have failed to solve Nigeria’s water crisis.

    Damilola Olajubutu, Executive Director of Rural Nurture Initiative (RNI), leveraged her extensive rural development and policy expertise to make a compelling case for transformative water solutions during the UN General Assembly President’s meeting on Sustainable Development Goal 6 and related multistakeholder events on July 9 – 10, 2025. 

    She challenges the international development community to fundamentally rethink how water interventions are designed and implemented.

    Her intervention, delivered on behalf of RNI and the African Rural Development Network, has implications that extend far beyond international forums—it offers a roadmap for how Nigeria can achieve sustainable water access for its 60+ million citizens currently without safe water.

    Olajubutu’s presentation highlighted a critical gap in current water development practices: the disconnect between what communities need and what external agencies provide. Her organization’s fieldwork across Nigerian rural communities revealed that sustainability depends not on technological sophistication but on community ownership and local maintenance capacity. 

    This finding challenges the prevailing assumption that more advanced technology automatically translates to better outcomes.

    The implications for Nigeria’s water sector are profound. Current approaches often prioritize high-tech solutions that communities cannot maintain, leading to project failure once external support ends. Olajubutu’s model demonstrates that empowering communities to select and manage their water infrastructure creates lasting impact.

    A standout element of RNI’s approach is the establishment of gender-inclusive water committees that amplify women’s voices in resource governance. 

    This innovation recognizes that women are typically the primary water managers in rural contexts, yet are often excluded from decision-making processes.

    “Our gender-inclusive water committees amplified women’s voices in resource governance,” Olajubutu told the UN delegates, presenting this as a key factor in the success of community-driven water projects.

    This approach offers valuable lessons for Nigeria’s water sector, where women’s participation in water governance remains limited despite their central role in water collection and management at the household level.

    During the conference’s stakeholder brainstorming sessions, Olajubutu outlined specific expectations for water policy integration that draws from rural development best practices. 

    Her policy expertise enabled her to emphasize that water interventions must be “backed up by appropriate actions” using proven rural development methodologies and supported by “effective monitoring and functional feedback mechanisms.”

    Among her key expectations for the 2026 conference was the establishment of mandatory rural inclusion quotas in water infrastructure development, ensuring that rural communities receive proportional attention and resources in water interventions rather than being marginalized in planning processes.

    Her call for collaborative water governance reflects her rural development background in community engagement and participatory approaches. 

    Read Also: Lawal predicts better days for 3SC  under Salami

    As Nigeria grapples with achieving sustainable water access, Olajubutu’s model offers a framework for ensuring that water interventions leverage rural development insights to create lasting impact.

    Economic Sustainability Through Community Ownership

    The economic argument for community-driven solutions is compelling. 

    Olajubutu’s approach addresses a critical challenge in Nigeria’s water sector: the high failure rate of water projects due to poor maintenance and lack of local ownership.

    By integrating WASH education with infrastructure development and ensuring community participation in technology selection, RNI’s model creates the conditions for long-term sustainability. Communities develop both the technical capacity and the ownership mindset necessary to maintain water facilities beyond the project implementation period.

    “The lesson is clear: communities know their needs best,” Olajubutu stated. “When we trust their expertise and support their choices, we create sustainable solutions that endure long after external support ends.”

    Olajubutu’s international advocacy comes at a crucial time for Nigeria’s water sector. With ambitious targets for achieving universal water access and ongoing discussions about sector reforms, her community-driven model offers a proven alternative to traditional approaches.

    The model’s emphasis on local capacity building and community ownership aligns with Nigeria’s need for sustainable, scalable solutions that can address the water needs of both rural and peri-urban populations.

    Her call for practical case study presentations at the 2026 UN Water Conference in Abu Dhabi represents an opportunity for Nigeria to showcase innovative, locally-developed solutions on the global stage.

    Olajubutu’s role as coordinator of the African Rural Development Network positions her advocacy within a broader continental context. Her intervention emphasized that “across Africa, where hundreds of millions lack safe water including Nigeria’s 60+ million people, communities are not just beneficiaries waiting for solutions but are partners with the knowledge and commitment to create lasting change.”

    This perspective positions Nigeria as a potential leader in promoting community-driven water governance across Africa, offering a model that other countries facing similar challenges could adapt and implement.

    Looking Ahead to 2026

    As the UN moves toward the 2026 Water Conference, Olajubutu’s intervention has helped ensure that community-driven approaches will feature prominently in global water governance discussions. 

    Her vision includes moving beyond theoretical presentations to practical demonstrations of what works in African communities.

    For Nigeria, this represents an opportunity to influence global water development practices while implementing proven solutions to address the country’s water access challenges.

    “The communities are ready. The question is: are we ready to listen?” Olajubutu challenged the UN assembly. For Nigeria’s water sector, this question is particularly relevant as the country seeks sustainable pathways to universal water access.

    The success of RNI’s community-driven model offers hope that Nigeria can achieve its water access goals through approaches that respect local knowledge, empower communities, and create lasting change from the ground up.

  • Can urban farming contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s food security?

    Can urban farming contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s food security?

    By Diana Tenebe

    Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, faces a complex web of food security challenges. Soaring food inflation, exacerbated by climate extremes, persistent insecurity in food-producing regions, and an inadequate supply of nutritious foods, has pushed millions into acute hunger.

    Despite vast agricultural resources, the country ranks low on the Global Food Security Index, underscoring a critical need for innovative solutions. Amidst this backdrop, urban farming, often dismissed as a niche activity, is gaining traction as a strategy to enhance food security, create income opportunities, and promote sustainable practices in urban areas.

    Urban farming, encompassing a range of practices from rooftop gardens and vertical farms to community plots and aquaculture, offers the potential to localise food production, reduce reliance on distant supply chains, and enhance access to fresh, nutritious produce. As Nigerian cities continue to urbanise, converting agricultural land to other uses, the importance of maximizing food production within urban limits becomes crucial.

    One of the most immediate and impactful contributions of urban farming is its ability to enhance food availability and access. By cultivating crops within city limits, fresh produce can reach consumers more quickly, drastically reducing post-harvest losses and transportation costs.

    This localised production directly addresses issues of food scarcity, especially for vulnerable urban populations who often struggle with the high cost and limited availability of fresh food. Successful initiatives in Lagos, for instance, have demonstrated how urban farms can become reliable sources of fruits, vegetables, and even protein through urban livestock and aquaculture for surrounding communities.

    Beyond mere availability, urban farming plays a crucial role in improving nutritional outcomes and dietary diversity. Access to fresh, diverse produce encourages healthier eating habits, helping to combat prevalent issues like protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies.

    When families cultivate their own food, they gain greater control over its quality and freshness, often opting for more nutritious varieties. This direct link between cultivation and consumption can lead to a measurable increase in dietary diversity within urban households.

    Urban farming is not just about subsistence; it holds substantial economic promise and fosters job creation. It directly generates employment opportunities in various stages, including planting, harvesting, processing, and distribution. Small-scale urban farmers can sell their surplus produce at local markets, generating income and fostering entrepreneurship. This can be particularly impactful for Nigeria’s large youth population, offering a viable path to employment and self-reliance in a landscape of high unemployment. Initiatives that provide training and access to markets, like “FarmInTheCity” in Lagos, exemplify how urban farming can blossom into full-scale enterprises.

    Urban farming contributes significantly to environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Innovative urban farming techniques, such as hydroponics and vertical farming, are inherently resource-efficient, using less land and water compared to traditional agriculture.

    They also reduce “food miles,” significantly lowering carbon emissions associated with long-distance transportation. Additionally, urban green spaces created by farming initiatives can help mitigate the urban heat island effect, improve air quality, and enhance urban biodiversity. This makes urban farming a crucial component of climate adaptation strategies, helping cities become more resilient to the impacts of climate change, such as erratic rainfall patterns and prolonged droughts that affect traditional agriculture.

    Finally, community gardens and collaborative urban farming projects serve as powerful tools for fostering community cohesion and social impact. They provide shared spaces where residents can connect, build knowledge, and foster a sense of community pride and ownership. These initiatives can also serve as educational platforms, promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness about local food systems. This collaborative spirit can be particularly beneficial in diverse urban settings, breaking down social barriers and strengthening community bonds.

    Read Also: Fed Govt: desertification threatens food security, livelihoods

    For Urban farming to work in Nigeria, policy support and integration are crucial. Governments at all levels need to recognize urban farming as a legitimate and vital part of the food system. This involves developing supportive policies, streamlining land-use regulations, and integrating urban agriculture into city planning. Second, capacity building and education are essential.

    Investing in education and training programs is vital. Access to finance and technology is a significant factor for urban farmers. Innovative financing models, perhaps incorporating “pay-as-you-grow” schemes for technology adoption, are needed. Also, leveraging technology like mobile apps for market access can significantly boost productivity. Lastly, adequate infrastructure, including reliable energy sources and efficient storage facilities, is crucial to minimize post-harvest losses and ensure the economic viability of urban farms.

    Urban farming in Nigeria is more than just a passing trend; it can represent a tangible and impactful pathway towards enhanced food security. By embracing innovative approaches, fostering supportive policies, and empowering urban communities with the necessary resources and knowledge, Nigeria can unlock the immense potential of its cities to feed their populations, create economic opportunities, and build a more resilient and sustainable future. The revolution of urban farming, if nurtured effectively, can indeed contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s quest for food security.

    Diana Tenebe is the Chief Operating Officer at Foodstuff Store.

  • ‘How contaminants endanger human health, worsen food crisis’

    ‘How contaminants endanger human health, worsen food crisis’

    Environmental and analytical chemist, Olamide Ogundele, has said organic pollutants like PFOS(Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) if not checked in water and soil systems in Africa and the world at large,would worsen food crisis and endanger human health.

     In an interview with The Nation, Ogundele shared insights into her pioneering research on PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid) and its alarming generational impact on food crops. 

    Her recent publication, “Physiological and Metabolic Responses of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) after One-Generation Exposure to Perfluorooctanesulfonic Acid (PFOS),” underscored the silent threat this contaminant poses to food safety and human health.

    She noted  that with the increasing reports of persistent organic pollutants like PFOS in water and soil systems in Africa and the world at large, very few studies have focused on their effect on crops over generations. 

    “Given the centrality of agriculture in Nigeria’s economy and nutrition, I wanted to explore how contaminants that we often overlook could silently affect food security and human health—starting from the very crops we depend on,” she said.

    Ogundele described PFOS as a synthetic chemical widely used in industrial applications for its water- and stain-resistant properties, adding.that it  belongs to the PFAS family—sometimes called “forever chemicals”— because they do not break down easily in the environment.

     She explained that  what makes PFOS especially concerning is its ability to bioaccumulate in living organisms and persist across generations, posing long-term risks to ecosystems and potentially human health.

    Read Also: Waystream debuts in Nigeria, pioneers affordable audio streaming

    On her findings in a research on wheat, she said: “It’s highly significant. The fact that PFOS was detected in the third generation of wheat—despite only the first generation being exposed—shows that the compound can be transferred biologically through seeds. This challenges our traditional understanding of chemical persistence and calls for urgent attention to the way we manage agricultural contamination. It also raises questions about how much of these chemicals are making their way into our food systems undetected.”

    She observed  alterations in critical metabolites such as sugars, amino acids, and lipids.  She notes the  shifts suggest that PFOS exposure disrupts the plant’s normal metabolic processes, potentially affecting growth, nutrient content, and stress responses.

     “In simpler terms, the nutritional profile and dresilience of the wheat were compromised—effects that could translate into diminished food quality and productivity over time,” she added.

    Ogundele said in  countries like Nigeria, where a large portion of the population depends on subsistence farming, the implications are profound. She noted that PFOS contamination could jeopardize food safety, crop  yields, and even intergenerational health. 

    “There’s an urgent need for environmental education, stronger chemical regulation, and investment in research and technology to prevent and mitigate this kind of contamination,” she said.

  • Research institutes partner women farmers to boost agriculture and tackle pests

    Research institutes partner women farmers to boost agriculture and tackle pests

    Research institutes across Nigeria have partnered with the Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWFON) to promote good farming practices and enhance agricultural productivity nationwide.

    The initiative aims to strengthen the fight against pests and diseases affecting various agricultural value chains, while empowering women farmers with the tools and knowledge needed for sustainable farming.

    Speaking at a national workshop in Abuja themed “Together We Grow Sustainable Food Systems for a Resilient Future”, Lead Director of the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), Eze Onyekpere, emphasised the importance of bridging the gap between research, extension services, and actual farm practices.

    He noted that although research institutes are active, their work often fails to reach farmers through the right agricultural channels.

    “It is only when these innovations reach the grassroots that good farming practices can be adopted broadly,” Onyekpere said.

    Read Also: Lagos sensitises stakeholders on urban agriculture

    He added that the collaboration with SWFON is a strategic move to ensure that research outputs translate into practical improvements on farms across Nigeria.

    He said, “We mapped out ten of these groups as well as the critical research institutes. This is to bridge the gap between what the research institutes are doing and what the farmers are doing in the practical field. This is the reason for bringing in different farmers organisations,  the Ministry of Agriculture from three key states, Niger, Abua and Oyo state, accompanied by research Institutes from these states.

    “Cassava alone can generate more revenue than oil in the country. Nigeria produces about 20% of the world’s cassava. I gave you an example of the value chain we all eat as gari; this is just one crop, we are not talking about other agricultural products yet. I want to emphasise that research Institutes are well funded, though the government can still do better”.

    Speaking, Honourable Kelechi Nworgu of the House Committee on Agriculture said this is a call to action, noting that it is a time when farmers are struggling with low productivity and core financial systems, so there is a need for stakeholders to look into the activities of farmers so it can be upgraded. 

  • Bichi donates 13 buses, tractors to Kano varsities, constituents

    Bichi donates 13 buses, tractors to Kano varsities, constituents

    Hon. Abubakar Kabir Bichi, the member representing Bichi Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Appropriation has distributed thirteen new 16-seater buses to universities and colleges of education in Kano and 11 tractors and combine harvesters to constituents.

    The event which took place in Bichi town Monday July 7, had representatives from various higher institutions in the state. 

    The gesture, Bichi said is aimed at easing transportation challenges and ensuring effective learning on campuses and also to strengthen farming system in the constituency.

    Bichi was represented by the Chairman Education Committee, Dr. Habibu Usman Abdu, Senior Legislative Aides Sabo Ilyasu Saye, Zahraddeen Kabir as well as his other staff.

    Beneficiary higher institutions of learning include Bayero University (BUK), which received 2 buses, Northwest university, Kano (2) two buses, Aliko Dangote Science university (2) two buses, FCE (T) Bichi (2) two buses, Yusuf Maitama Sule Federal University, (1) one bus, Ibrahim Ayagi College of Health Science Dawakin Tofa, Aminu Kano College of Islamic Legal Studies, (1) one bus, Kano Polytechnic Central Admin (1) one bus, Sa’adatu Rimi college of Education (1) one bus.

    However, eleven tractors and four combine harvesters were donated to eleven wards across Bichi Local Government Area.

    Read Also: Bichi takes over HJRBDA, prioritises water supply

    He added that the eleven tractors and combined harvesters will improve and strengthen the farming system in the eleven wards in Bichi Local Government Area.

    The event highlighted Hon. Bichi’s dedication to supporting the education sector through practical interventions aimed enhancing mobility and logistics within academic environments.

    Such interventions especially on education and many others are the reason the Federal University, Kashere, Gombe state and the Federal University Dutsin-ma, Katsina conferred honorary doctorate degrees on Abubakar Kabir Bichi.

  • Tertiary institutions must drive rural transformation – UAES VC

    Tertiary institutions must drive rural transformation – UAES VC

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES), Umuagwo, Prof. Christopher Eze, has said that tertiary institutions in Nigeria are not just centres of learning but also research incubators that should provide practical solutions for rural development.

     He stated that the faculties of Agriculture, ICT, and Environmental Sciences are dedicated to generating applied knowledge that addresses the needs of local farmers, government agencies, and technology providers.

    Eze stated this when he declared open one day seminar on “Regulatory/policy validation on universal access and digital financial solutions” with the theme: “Strengthening research, policy and partnership for Inclusive digital transformation in Agriculture.”

    He noted that research is the foundation upon which relevant, context specific policies must be built, stressing that it explains what works where it works and why. “It is our duty as an academic institution to bridge the gap between empirical evidence and policy implementation.”

    The Vice Chancellor commended the steadfast vision and leadership of Governor Hope Uzodimma describing him not just as a visionary leader, but also a committed champion of education, technology and innovation.

    In her lecture entitled: “Ensuring inclusive Digital finance for women and youths in agriculture”, a resource person, Dr.(Mrs) Chinwe Nwogu disclosed that digital agriculture if we’ll implemented could create five million jobs across its value chains in the country.

    Read Also: ASUP decries eight-month salary delay in federal tertiary institutions

    While enumerating challenges and opportunities in digital agriculture, Nwogu listed low broadband penetration and limited internet access in rural areas which she said hinders the adoption of digital agricultural tools.

    Another resource person, Dr. Chinasaokwu Onyemauwa, noted that Nigeria’s drive towards digitalisation in agriculture is largely dependent on the level of digital infrastructure in the country, especially electricity supply, internet connectivity and appropriate policy regulatory framework.

    Unfortunately, he said in the rural areas of the country where agriculture is largely practiced and where digital agriculture is required most, these infrastructures are either lacking or poor.

    Digital Solution(DIGITOL)Project Telecom expert, Dr. Emmanuel Amadi, noted that Imo State stands out as the only state with a formal universal access policy that aligns with federal frameworks adding that such model called for a replication in other states.

  • Cross River, JR Farms lead Nigeria coffee revolution, launch 30m seedlings for farmers

    Cross River, JR Farms lead Nigeria coffee revolution, launch 30m seedlings for farmers

    The Cross River State government, in partnership with a multinational agribusiness company, JR Farms, is set to lead Nigeria’s coffee revolution with the launching of an initiative to cultivate 30 million coffee seedlings across the state, marking a bold step toward reviving and expanding coffee production in the country. 

    The flag-off of the project which held on Thursday in Calabar, brought together key government officials, agricultural stakeholders, representatives of JR Farms, and officials of the French government, who came to witness the launch of what is expected to become one of the largest coffee cultivation projects in West Africa.

    Speaking at the ceremony, Governor Bassey Otu, described the initiative as a strategic move to reintroduce and reposition Cross River as the coffee capital of Nigeria and an emerging player in the international coffee market.

    “With 30 million robust and climate-appropriate seedlings being distributed across our 18 local government areas, this project offers much more than cultivation. It is about creating jobs, generating wealth, building sustainable livelihoods, promoting agro-industrial development, and restoring our ecological balance.

    “We are particularly proud of the strategic partnership with JR Farms, whose global footprint in the agrifood space and expertise in coffee value chains bring tremendous value to this initiative. Through their involvement, we are assured of technical support, market access, and international best practices in every aspect of implementation,” Otu said.

    The governor commended farmers, women, youth, and traditional institutions in the state for embracing the project with open arms, saying their commitment gave him confidence that the initiative would flourish. He added that the project reflected his administration’s resolve to diversify the state’s economy, fight rural poverty, and create a more inclusive and sustainable agricultural ecosystem.

    Read Also: Ibas rues Songhai Farms neglect in Rivers 

    Founder and CEO of JR Farms, Olawale Rotimi-Opeyemi, expressed delight at the re-emergence of coffee production in Nigeria, noting that after nine years of working in the coffee value chain across East Africa, engaging over 4,000 farmers and exporting coffee to various parts of the world, he was glad to bring that experience back home.

    Olawale, who commended the Cross River state government’s commitment to agricultural development, said the 30 million coffee seedling cultivation project would engender prosperity for the people, ensure rural development, create jobs for youth and women, and place the state on the global map of coffee production.

    The JR Farms CEO disclosed that with years of operations in Nigeria, Rwanda, France, and Zambia, his company would deploy its extensive wealth of experience in coffee production and global marketing to ensure the long-term success of the project and help Cross River become a major player in the international coffee market.

    “We will offer technical support by training by farmers across the state using the Train-the-Trainer approach. This training will cover the agronomy practices for coffee, ethical practices, and economics of coffee production for the first phase. 11,000 farmers have already been on boarded under the project. 

    “We will also open a 3-way line of communication between us, the State Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development, and the farmers to ensure quick technical support for farmers who may be facing post-planting challenges,” he noted.

    He revealed that, in collaboration with the Agriculture Ministry, his firm would establish coffee washing stations in different parts of the state, which he said would serve farmers after harvest, adding that “after washing stations are built, we will have another layer of training to support farmers on harvesting, sorting, washing, fermenting, and drying, among others.”

    Speaking further, Rotimi said JR Farms would also develop and hand over to the Cross River government an implementable framework to access the global market as part of efforts to ensure farmers in the state get value for their investment and effort.

    “We are also committed to off-taking coffee produced across the State to meet the rising global market that we have. We will also, through global platforms and media publications, actively push stories of Cross River Coffee to the world to wet the appetite of coffee lovers globally,” he said.

    Olawale also appreciated the French Embassy in Nigeria, which was represented at the event by its Senior Trade Specialist, Valor Iduh, for its continued support toward his company and coffee production in Nigeria. He disclosed that the Embassy was working with his firm to secure a coffee roasting machine for Nigeria as part of the broader plan to strengthen local value addition.

    Also speaking, the Cross River Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Hon. Johnson Ebokpo, said the flag-off ceremony followed a rigorous enumeration process that recorded massive participation of men, women, and youth farmers across the State.

    He disclosed that 30 million high-quality Robusta and Arabica seedlings would be distributed and cultivated based on ecological suitability across the 18 local government areas of the State.

    Ebokpo, who said the state government’s commitment to repositioning agriculture was deliberate, unwavering, and strategic, emphasised that “the project goes beyond coffee production to wealth creation for farmers, attracting sustainable investment, empowering communities, promoting fair trade and ethical practices, building a green economy, and advancing value chain development.”

  • NADF, NCIA sign MoU to boost cassava development 

    NADF, NCIA sign MoU to boost cassava development 

    The National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) has entered into a partnership with the  Nigeria Cassava Investment Accelerator (NCIA) to accelerate the transformation of the country’s cassava industry, aimed at  strengthening production, processing, and financing across the entire value chain.

    The agreement follows the cassava roundtable discussion convened by Cavista Holdings and Agbeyewa Farms in Ekogosi, Ekiti State, from February 24th to 25th, 2025, as well as a series of exploratory meetings between NADF and NCIA.

    Under the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), both organisations have committed to collaborate on shared objectives to advance Nigeria’s cassava ecosystem.

    The NCIA is a collaborative effort anchored by the Boston Consulting Group, Lagos Business School, agri-entrepreneurs, and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. 

    READ ALSO: Six dead, three missing in Navy boat mishap

    The effort seeks to position Nigeria as a leading global producer of cassava-based food and industrial products through modernization and large-scale investment.

    Key areas of collaboration include: knowledge and Expertise Sharing which both parties will exchange technical knowledge and information on cassava production and processing, host joint workshops, conduct training sessions, and share research findings to benefit farmers, processors, and other stakeholders.

    Others are facilitation and networking which the NADF and NCIA will create platforms to connect cassava value chain actors, including processing companies, investors, and technical partners.

    Ecosystem development which the partnership will work to improve access to finance for smallholder farmers and processors to strengthen feedstock supply and scale production.

    Speaking on the collaboration, representatives of both organisations emphasised the importance of moving beyond pilot initiatives towards structural partnerships capable of addressing longstanding bottlenecks in Nigeria’s cassava sector.

    Speaking during the signing ceremony at the commemoration of the World Cassava Day 2025 in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim, said to unlock cassava’s true potential, collaborations across the value chain must become structural. 

    “The real work lies in how financiers, producers, processors, innovators, policymakers, and researchers co-create enduring partnerships to reduce inefficiencies, deepen market integration, and build resilient linkages between farms and factories.”

    As part of this commitment, he noted that NADF has earmarked a pipeline of on-lending finance valued at ₦2 billion to support primary cassava production. 

    The NADF, he said , is also working with Cavista Holdings, Agbeyewa Farms, and other major processors to inject additional capital into the sector.

    The MoU signing underscores growing momentum to transform cassava into a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic diversification strategy, create jobs, and reduce the country’s dependence on imported industrial inputs.

  • Women to govts: include us in AU cocoa development plan

    Women to govts: include us in AU cocoa development plan

    Women cocoa farmers in Ondo State have called on the federal and state governments to ensure their inclusion in the African Cocoa Agenda 2063.

    They cited the need for financial support, training, and access to markets.

    The demand was made during a stakeholder engagement in Ile-Oluji at the weekend.

    It was organised by the Development Research and Projects Centre (dRPC) and Association of Women in Trade and Agriculture (AWITA).

    The meeting focused on the role of women in the cocoa value chain and the need for their active participation in shaping policy and investment decisions in the sector.

    The leader of the AWITA Cocoa Cluster in Ile-Oluji, Mrs. Akinbusola Morohunmubo, noted that women were involved in all stages of cocoa production—from planting to post-harvest processing—but were often excluded from support systems and training programmes.

    READ ALSO: Four things to know about St Lucia as Tinubu visits Caribbean nation

    “We are central to cocoa farming in the southwest, but we face many barriers: from rising costs of inputs to lack of training and exclusion from major decision-making platforms. If Nigeria is serious about leveraging the African Cocoa Agenda 2063, then women must be included and supported,” she said.

    dRPC’s Head of Research and Analysis, Mr. Kareem Abdulrazak, said the African Cocoa Agenda 2063 is a continent-wide framework championed by the African Union (AU) to transform cocoa production into a sustainable, inclusive, and profitable sector that contributes significantly to economic development.

    He stated that the Agenda, anchored in the AU’s Agenda, aims to enhance Africa’s share in the global cocoa market and ensure fair benefits for farmers.

    He explained that the African Cocoa Agenda presents a long-term opportunity for structural transformation in the sector, particularly for women.

    “This is a 50-year commitment by African leaders to build an inclusive and prosperous cocoa sector. It’s important that women farmers in Nigeria are mobilised to take part, not just as workers but as stakeholders who can influence the direction of cocoa policy,” Abdulrazak said.

    AWITA’s National President, Mrs. Ruth Agbo, echoed this sentiment, stressing that women’s economic empowerment in agriculture is key to national development.

    “We will continue to work with stakeholders, including NGOs and government institutions, to position women’s businesses—especially in cocoa—for long-term growth and sustainability,” she said.

    The dRPC-AWITA team also met with officials from the state Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, including the Permanent Secretary, Mr. F.O. Tunde Daramola, to brief them on their advocacy initiative.

    The visit aimed to build state-level partnerships for inclusive cocoa policy implementation.

    The women farmers urged the government to prioritise training in modern cocoa farming techniques, access to credit facilities, and representation in cocoa-related development initiatives under the African Cocoa Agenda.

  • Rep Osoba empowers 300 farmers, youths in agricultural value chain development

    Rep Osoba empowers 300 farmers, youths in agricultural value chain development

    In a major boost to grassroots agricultural development, Rt. Hon. Olumide Osoba has empowered 300 local farmers and youths across Abeokuta North, Obafemi Owode, and Odeda Federal Constituency through a comprehensive training on agricultural value chain development.

    The initiative, held at GRA Ataba, Ibara, Abeokuta, was organized in partnership with the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC). It was designed to equip participants with practical knowledge, skills, and strategies to enhance productivity, create jobs, and boost agribusiness competitiveness within the constituency.

    The participants—drawn from diverse farming communities—underwent intensive sessions focused on improving various aspects of the agricultural value chain, from production and processing to packaging and market access.

    READ ALSO: My biggest challenges in office, by Dapo Abiodun

    Representatives of the beneficiaries, Comrade Mudashiru Olarewaju from Odeda Local Government and Alhaji Shodiya Haroon from Obafemi Owode, expressed appreciation for the initiative. “We are deeply grateful to Rt. Hon. Olumide Osoba and the NIPC for this life-changing opportunity,” they said. “This training has given us fresh insights and renewed hope to expand our agricultural ventures.”

    In addition to the training, each of the 300 beneficiaries received instant cash transfers to support the practical implementation of the skills acquired. The financial support is expected to catalyze small-scale agribusiness projects and improve livelihoods across the communities.

    The initiative underscores Rt. Hon. Olumide Osoba’s continued commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable development through agriculture. It also reflects his broader legislative agenda to drive knowledge-based and people-centered growth.

    As the beneficiaries left the event with renewed confidence and actionable plans, the program stood as yet another testament to the lawmaker’s dedication to building capacity and creating economic opportunities at the grassroots.