The Nation Newspaper

Category: Agriculture

  • Presidency, UNESCO REF, POWA launch initiative to empower women in agric

    Presidency, UNESCO REF, POWA launch initiative to empower women in agric

    The Presidency, through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Food Security, in collaboration with the UNESCO REF and the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) Lagos State Chapter, has launched a bespoke Urban Agriculture Training Programme in Lagos State.

    Speaking during the formal inauguration of the initiative, senior special assistant to the President on Food Security, Yejide Ogundipe, reaffirmed the programme’s alignment with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Ogundipe stressed that women farmers must be recognised as vital contributors to Nigeria’s food security.

    She noted that the initiative is designed to strengthen the Lagos State agricultural food system while empowering women through innovation, sustainability, and financial inclusion.

    The programme, themed “Seed of Empowerment: Growing Women in Lagos,” equips women with tools, knowledge, and opportunities to thrive in urban farming.

    According to her, the initiative aligns with the National Agricultural Technology Innovation Policy (NATIP) and connects directly with the ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund under the Produce for Lagos Programme, launched earlier in July 2025.

    Participants are guaranteed a steady income every two to three weeks, ensuring that empowerment translates into tangible financial stability for households.

    Organisers announced plans to expand the bespoke programme in 2026, targeting at least 120,000 women across all local governments and LCDAs in Lagos State.

    Also speaking, the President of UNESCO REF, Abdulsalami Ladigbolu‑Oranmiyan, said that the bespoke programme is not charity but empowerment.

    He said, “Philanthropy provides immediate relief, but capacity building empowers individuals to achieve financial freedom and long‑term sustainability. What we are launching today is designed to transform lives and communities.

    “Beyond Lagos, the mission is envisioned to be taken across the federation, ensuring that women in every state of Nigeria benefit from sustainable agricultural empowerment and contribute to strengthening the national food system.”

    Chairperson Lagos State POWA, Mrs. Risqat Jimoh, highlighted the importance of women’s empowerment at both local and national levels, noting that the initiative strengthens families, communities, and the food system of Lagos.

    She said, “Each participant would receive a Tier 2 certificate, which not only recognizes training but also guarantees subsidised entry for their children into future agricultural programmes.

    “This ensures that empowerment becomes generational, extending benefits beyond immediate participants.

    “To ensure participants can immediately apply their training, each woman received varieties of seeds to kickstart their learning and farming practice. This practical support guarantees that the programme moves beyond theory into real, hands-on empowerment, enabling participants to begin cultivating produce right away.”

    A participant and beneficiary of the programme, Aisha Abiola Sanni, described the programme as “an alternative means for financial income.”

    She explained that, as a youth corps member, the opportunity positions her to save and prepare for completing her service year and future plans.

    The bespoke initiative is supported by partners including NIHORT (National Horticultural Research Institute), IAR&T (Institute of Agriculture Research and Training), The Lichfield, Op3n Labs USA, Women’s Space USA, and others, under UNESCO REF’s flagship Strategic Intervention Programme – Alpha Category 2 Framework.

    Organisers noted that financial stability in households is one of the strongest deterrents to crime, positioning the programme as both an economic and social intervention.

    It also serves as a CSR model for corporate partners interested in investing in women’s empowerment and food security.

  • CBN orders Agric Fund Board to widen credit access to farmers

    CBN orders Agric Fund Board to widen credit access to farmers

    The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has charged the newly inaugurated Board of the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund (ACGSF) to ensure that lack of collateral or remote location no longer prevents Nigerian farmers from accessing credit.

    The Governor of the CBN, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, gave the charge in Abuja during the inauguration ceremony, describing the Scheme as a critical institution that must evolve to meet the financing needs of modern agriculture.

    The 48 years old ACGSF is one of Nigeria’s foremost and longest-standing development finance programmes, with a rich history in our socio-economic journey. It is not the CBN going back to interventions in some sectors but a continuation of the apex bank’s statutory mandate which recognises ACGSF.

    Cardoso said the core objective going forward is to make agricultural credit more accessible and inclusive. According to him, “our goal should be that a lack of collateral or remote location is no longer an insurmountable barrier to financing.” He described agriculture as central to Nigeria’s economic structure, pointing out that despite its contribution to national output and employment, credit to the sector remains very low.

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    “Agriculture remains the backbone of our economy, contributing over one-fifth of Nigeria’s GDP and employing nearly two-thirds of our working population. Yet, paradoxically, it receives only a small fraction of formal credit – less than 5 percent of banks’ lending goes to the agricultural sector,” he said.

    The CBN Governor said the 48-year-old ACGSF was established to reverse this trend, noting that it remains one of Nigeria’s most enduring development finance tools. “It is not the CBN going back to interventions in some sectors but a continuation of the apex bank’s statutory mandate which recognises ACGSF,” he said.

    Cardoso urged the Board to ensure that the Scheme becomes a reliable partner for farmers seeking financing. “Every hardworking farmer with a viable project should find in the ACGSF an enabling partner that helps them access the robust support they need to grow their enterprise,” he said.

    He stressed the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms to track the impact of guaranteed loans, noting that the era of disbursing funds without verifiable outcomes must end. “It is essential to institute a framework for tracking the impact of guaranteed loans on agricultural productivity and farmers’ welfare. This Board should champion the use of data and technology for real-time monitoring of projects supported under the Scheme,” he said.

    According to him, leveraging tools such as satellite imagery to track crop progress and digital dashboards to monitor loan disbursements would improve transparency and accountability. “Regular oversight will ensure that loans guaranteed by the Fund are being used for their intended purposes and are yielding positive results,” he added.

    Cardoso also said that proper evaluation will help the Board identify emerging risks such as regional loan defaults and respond proactively through borrower support or adjustments in the Scheme’s approach. He asserted that sound evidence of increased output, higher farm incomes, and better food security is necessary for policy decisions that will strengthen the Fund’s operations.

    He described the inauguration of the Board as timely, noting that Nigeria must urgently bridge its lingering agricultural financing gap. “This longstanding financing gap has constrained the potential of millions of Nigerian farmers. The inauguration of this Board, therefore, comes at an opportune time as we embark on a bold new chapter in agricultural finance,” he said.

    Reviewing the Scheme’s legal foundation, Cardoso stated that “since its establishment by Decree No. 20 of 1977, the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund has played a vital role in de-risking agricultural lending and encouraging financial institutions to extend credit to farmers and agribusinesses.” He noted that by guaranteeing up to 75 per cent of agricultural loans, the Fund has enabled banks to lend to categories of farmers that would ordinarily have been excluded.

    However, he stated that the complexities of today’s agricultural landscape require the Scheme to be more dynamic. “Modern agriculture is far more complex – characterized by extensive value chains, advanced technologies, climate and security risks, and stakeholders ranging from smallholder cooperatives to agritech startups. We must therefore reposition the ACGSF as a dynamic, forward-thinking scheme capable of addressing these complexities,” he said.

    The CBN Governor recalled that a 2019 amendment expanded the Scheme’s share capital from N3 billion to N50 billion, placing it on stronger footing. He commended the Board’s broader composition, noting that the law now provides for a representative of Nigerian farmers. “Such inclusivity is strategic; it enshrines partnership between policymakers, financiers, and the farming community in guiding the Scheme’s activities,” he said.

    Cardoso said Nigeria’s agricultural sector sits at “the crossroads of unprecedented opportunity,” aligning with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda to build a resilient, technologically advanced, and inclusive agricultural economy. Achieving this vision, he said, requires dismantling long-standing barriers to credit access, especially for smallholder farmers who produce the bulk of Nigeria’s food.

    “Many lack collateral or credit history and are perceived as high-risk by conventional lenders. This is a structural anomaly we can no longer afford, given that these same smallholders feed our nation and drive our rural economy,” he said.

    He called on the ACGSF to play a transformative role in making agricultural credit more affordable and impactful. According to him, the Scheme must catalyse investments in modern inputs, irrigation, mechanisation, storage, processing, and other activities essential to productivity and income growth.

    He said the Board must also focus on key strategic priorities, including deepening financial inclusion for women and youth. “We know that rural women, for example, are key actors in agriculture, yet they often have even less access to credit and technology than their male counterparts,” he said, noting that nearly 60 percent of rural women do not use mobile internet. He urged the Scheme to work with microfinance banks, cooperatives, and fintechs to design suitable credit products using mechanisms such as group lending and agent banking.

    Cardoso quoted Aristotle’s maxim that “nature abhors a vacuum,” saying institutions must continually be guided and strengthened. “With today’s inauguration, we have filled a void and renewed our commitment to a prosperous, food-secure Nigeria,” he said.

    He urged the Board to approach the task before it with commitment, saying the transformation of Nigeria’s agricultural value chains will require determination and innovation.

    “Let us move forward together with innovation, integrity, and unyielding dedication,” he said. “We have an opportunity to ensure that the ACGSF not only regains its position but rises to new heights as the cornerstone of Nigeria’s agricultural transformation” he said.

    The CBN Governor pledged full support to the Board as it begins its term. “The Central Bank of Nigeria stands ready to provide all necessary support to enable you to deliver on your mandate. I am confident that with your expertise and commitment, the ACGSF will drive significant progress toward our shared goals of agricultural prosperity and national economic development,” he said.

  • Govt to scale up youth agripreneurship

    Govt to scale up youth agripreneurship

    The Federal Government on Tuesday reiterated its commitment to scaling up youth agripreneurship as a central strategy for food systems transformation and economic growth.

    Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, made this known in Abuja at a high-level youth Agripreneurs  workshop organised by the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise- Niger Delta (Life  – ND) Project with the theme: “Scaling Up Youth Agripreneurship for Food Systems Transformation.”

    Kyari, said Nigeria stands at a moment of boundless opportunities, driven by young innovators who are transforming agrifood systems through precision agriculture, artificial intelligence, digital marketplaces, soilless farming and agro-processing technologies.

    Despite these advancements, the minister noted that many youths still face barriers, including lack of access to land, finance, markets, processing facilities, mentorship and market-driven skills, resulting in inconsistent participation in agriculture.

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    Kyari said the federal government, through partnerships with IFAD and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is now focused on scaling up proven models such as the LIFE-ND project, which has demonstrated that youth-led agripreneurship can drive food security, job creation and climate-smart production.

    “Our young people are ready to transform agrifood systems, create dignified livelihoods and drive inclusive economic growth in our dear nation, Nigeria,” Kyari said.

    He outlined concrete priorities for national scale-up including: unlocking land and productive resources for young farmers; expanding inclusive financing and credit guarantees; strengthening business development, incubation and commercialisation services.

    Others, he said are; improving market access through digital platforms, value chains and public-private partnerships; embedding climate resilience and sustainability at all levels; and adopting transparent data systems to track and measure results.

    “We are not starting from scratch,” Kyari said, noting that President Bola Tinubu has repositioned agriculture as a primary driver of economic transformation. The foundation has been firmly laid for measurable and sustainable progress.

    He added that the LIFE-ND project had already shown “proof of concept,” having piloted youth-led agribusiness models, expanded incubation programmes and leveraged digital tools to connect farmers to markets and finance.

    The minister urged young agripreneurs to take bold steps, promising that government will create an enabling environment for their ventures to grow at scale.

    He also called for stronger partnerships across government, financial institutions, private sector players, academia and farmer groups.

    Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, described the gathering as a reaffirmation of government’s commitment to youth-led agricultural transformation.

    He noted that the presence of multiple ministers, including those of Regional Development, Women Affairs and Youth underscored the multidimensional nature of food systems reform.

    “Our gathering today symbolises a renewed commitment to transform agriculture from subsistence into a thriving enterprise,” he said.

    Ogunbiyi highlighted the ministry’s Agri-Food Investment Plan (2025), which outlines Nigeria’s pathway to climate-smart agricultural growth and rural economic expansion. He praised LIFE-ND’s incubation model, which provides young agripreneurs with mentorship, digital tools, vocational training and market integration.

    In his presentation, LIFE-ND National Project Coordinator, Dr Abiodun Sanni, detailed the programme’s milestones across its nine participating states, Abia, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Imo, Ondo and Rivers.

    According to him, the project has trained 29,620 youths and women in priority value chains such as cassava, rice, aquaculture, poultry, oil palm and horticulture.

    He noted that it also facilitated enterprise incubation through master farmers and agri-enterprises; increased household incomes by about 50per cent among beneficiaries; strengthened institutions and fostered digital and climate-smart innovations and ensured at least 50per cent gender inclusion.

    Sanni noted key lessons, including the need to position agriculture as a business, expand access to finance, deepen value chain integration and institutionalize mentorship-based incubation.

    Unveiling the scale-up strategy, he said the project aims to expand nationwide to all 36 states and the FCT.

  • FCMB champions agritech innovation with FMO, HeaveVentures

    FCMB champions agritech innovation with FMO, HeaveVentures

    First City Monument Bank (FCMB), in partnership with the Dutch entrepreneurial development bank (FMO) and HeaveVentures, has concluded the FCMB AgriTech Hackathon 2025.

     This initiative accelerates innovation, sustainability, and digital transformation in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.

    The event brought together seven startups from across the agricultural ecosystem to present tech-driven solutions to sector challenges. 

    After multiple rounds of pitching and mentorship, Qiqi Farms was named the overall winner, while Farm Monitor and Tuplant placed second and third, respectively. Llyon Farms, AgriX, Freshfare, and PalmShops each received a N1 million consolation grant for their contributions.

    Speaking at the event, Kudzai Gumunyu, Divisional Head, Agribusiness and Non-Oil Exports, FCMB, said: “This hackathon reflects FCMB’s commitment to nurturing innovation and supporting the next generation of agritech entrepreneurs. By connecting startups to funding, mentorship, and markets, we are helping transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector into a digitally driven, globally competitive industry”.

    Also commenting, Abiodun Lawal, CEO, HeaveVentures, stated: “This hackathon demonstrates the power of collaboration between financial institutions and the tech ecosystem. We are proud to see startups developing solutions that can redefine productivity, sustainability, and food security across Africa”.

    The FCMB AgriTech Hackathon reinforces the institution’s dedication to advancing Nigeria’s food security and digital economy through innovation, partnerships, and access to sustainable finance.

    From left: Divisional Head, Agribusiness and Non-Oil Exports, First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Kudzai Gumunyu; Divisional Head, Business Banking, Mr. George Ogbonnaya; Managing General Partner, AfriGloCal Venture Capital, Mope Abudu; grand prize winner of the FCMB Agritech Hackathon 2025, Favour Adeleke of Qiqi Farms; Adjunct Professor of Agribusiness at the Lagos Business School, Dr. Jide Adedeji and CEO, Agrimedia Group, Mr. Femi Abioye, at the grand finale and presentation of cheques to winners of the Agritech Hackathon organised by FCMB in partnership with the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO)  and HeaveVentures. The event took place in Lagos recently.
  • Reps, experts back MATAN’s Automated food security initiative

    Reps, experts back MATAN’s Automated food security initiative

    • …say scheme can solve 90% of Nigeria’s food crisis

    A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Haruna Gowon,  has expressed strong support for the MATAN Food Bank Professionals Association of Nigeria’s Automated MATAN Food Security Initiative (AMFSI), describing the scheme as a major solution capable of tackling 90 percent of the country’s food crisis.

    Hon. Gowon, who represents Bassa/Dekina Federal Constituency in Kogi state, made this known in a keynote address at the close of the association’s three-day national programme on Friday. 

    He said the National Assembly attaches great importance to food security and is ready to support the new MATAN initiative at all levels.

    According to him, food security remains “more important than any other security,” as it promotes physical and mental health, reduces health risks, supports development, prevents malnutrition, boosts productivity, reduces poverty, and strengthens social stability and environmental resilience.

    “When food security is available, the value of the naira will increase and the dollar will naturally drop. A hungry man is an angry man. Food security will increase our security,” he said.

    Hon. Gowon added that the current security challenges on Nigerian roads are closely linked to the food crisis, stressing that improved food availability would help curb the negative forces working against the country.

    He urged the association to put all efforts into the initiative, assuring them of the National Assembly’s commitment.

    “We at the NASS will support you with legislations that will make it easy. It is a national assignment. NASS is behind you. With this initiative, our constituents’ needs can be addressed directly,” he stated.

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    Delivering the remarks of the Chairman of the House Committee on Nutrition and Food Security, Hon. J.K. Kachikwu (PhD), Senior Consultant to the committee, Mr. Chrisland Onyemechara, also reaffirmed the House’s full backing. He said the support would extend across all 774 Local Government Areas of the country.

    Onyemechara maintained that the MATAN initiative has the potential to resolve 90 percent of Nigeria’s food security challenges.

    “When we examine the key elements of food security, four areas consistently stand out: the environment, partnership, advocacy and innovation. 

    “Today’s event brings these pillars together in one forum where all stakeholders can engage constructively.

    “If properly harnessed, these coordinated efforts can address nearly 90 percent of Nigeria’s food security challenges.

    “If we strengthen our systems from the ground up, we will significantly improve national productivity and food access. Ultimately, good governance, strong institutions and effective coordination will determine how well we can address hunger and malnutrition in our country.”

    Speaking earlier Ambassador Olakunle Johnson, the Group National President of MATAN Food Bank Professionals Association of Nigeria during the group’s National Flag-off of Automated MATAN Food Security Initiative (AMFSI) in Lagos on Friday, he stressed that the initiative is set to cater for over 40 million Nigerians with direct food access.

    Johnson said that the group had spent years developing a ground-up digital food security system designed to connect every Nigerian community to an efficient food bank network.

    Adding that at the heart of the project was a new digital identity platform, Virtual Digital Identity (VDI), which would eliminate long-standing bottlenecks that had hampered food support systems in the past.

    He said that the VDI platform, alongside MATAN’s automated food security system, would ensure that individuals in every community could be digitally captured and connected to local food banks and community kitchens.

    Johnson said that the project was not another political promise but a fully developed private-sector-driven system built on digitalisation, community participation and nationwide collaboration.

    “For decades, we have heard promises about food security, but nobody has built a structure around the people themselves.

    “That is what we are doing, creating a system rooted in the heart of the people.

    “It is not about talking without action. We have the platform ready; we have tested it. We have presented it to the relevant authorities, including the Office of the President,” he said.

    Johnson said that discussions already held with local and international investors who had signaled readiness to support implementation, while government at federal, state and local levels will play supervisory and enabling roles.

    According to him, once the system becomes operational, food access will be decentralised to the smallest units across the country.

    “With a digital identity, you can wake up in the morning and see your community food bank or food kitchen in your neighbourhood. Nobody should fear hunger again,” he said.

    Johnson described the launch as the second phase of MATAN’s broader food security vision, following the successful rollout of earlier advocacy and policy engagements.

    He expressed confidence that the initiative, once fully implemented, would resolve Nigeria’s food insecurity challenges and set a model for community-driven interventions across Africa.

    According to Chief Charles Igwenagu, South East General Secretary of the group, this is highly needed because it is about bringing life to the nation.

    Also, Dr Felix Osakwe, Group National Secretary of the association, said that the initiative aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s food security agenda.

    Osakwe said that members of the House of Representatives present at the event had expressed readiness to collaborate.

    He, however, urged all Nigerians to support the initiative in order to tackle the problem of food insecurity properly.

  • Dangote fertiliser bags top input award at 2025 agric show

    Dangote fertiliser bags top input award at 2025 agric show

    Dangote Fertiliser Limited has clinched the top Agricultural Input Award at the 17th National Agricultural Show in Keffi, Nasarawa State.

    In a statement issued by the Head of the Dangote Media Group (North), Dr. Abubakar Jibril, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria (NAFN), Kabiru Ibrahim, hailed the Dangote Group as a major driving force in Nigeria’s agricultural input value chain.

    Ibrahim noted that with the Group’s remarkable milestones in the petroleum sector, it is strategically positioned to deepen investments in agriculture and enhance the nation’s food security.

    He said this year’s theme, “Empowering Smallholder Farmers: Restoring Value, Ensuring Productivity,” reflects Nigeria’s collective determination to place smallholder farmers at the centre of the country’s food sufficiency drive.

    “Dangote Group has been our greatest ally from inception. Without their tremendous and invaluable support, hosting this show effectively would have been difficult,” he added.

    Acting National Coordinator of NAFN, Aishatu Rufai, also praised Dangote Fertiliser for what she termed a transformative investment in the sector, citing the company’s three-million-metric-tonne-per-annum urea plant as a “major game-changer.”

    Responding on behalf of the Group, Senior Adviser to the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Mrs. Fatima Wali-Abdurrahman, said the award affirms the company’s growing impact on farmers and food production nationwide.

    “We dedicate this award to our team, our partners, and the farmers who believe in our products. It reinforces our commitment to research, innovation, and expanding access to affordable fertiliser,” she said.

    In a statement, the Group’s spokesman, Anthony Chiejina, said the company’s next phase will focus on scaling production and deepening collaboration with farmers and government to build a more sustainable agricultural economy.

    “We appreciate the organisers of the National Agricultural Show and are encouraged to do even more. Nigeria’s agricultural future deserves nothing less,” he stated.

    Dangote Industries Limited served as one of the major sponsors of the 2025 National Agricultural Show, organised by NAFN in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the All Farmers Association of Nigeria.

  • SpenAgro poised for global Cocoa dominance, says CEO Mbachu

    SpenAgro poised for global Cocoa dominance, says CEO Mbachu

    Chief Executive Officer of SpenAgro, Ebuka Mbachu, has said the company is taking decisive steps to position itself as a leading player in the global cocoa export market, as rising international demand continues to reshape the industry.

    The global cocoa market has remained highly dynamic, driven largely by sustained demand from Europe and North America, even as West Africa accounts for most of the supply.

    Latest figures from the International Cocoa Organization (ICCO) show prices rising by 3–5 per cent due to tightening supply. European grinders have increased processing volumes, while dark chocolate consumption trends in the United States and Asia have kept demand for high-quality beans on the rise.

    Against this backdrop, SpenAgro, founded by agricultural professionals and enthusiasts, says it is stepping up efforts to exceed global industry benchmarks.

    Mbachu said the company’s growth strategy is anchored on quality, sustainability, and farmer empowerment.

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    “As global demand for premium, ethically sourced cocoa continues to strengthen, our mission remains clear: to deliver world-class cocoa beans while empowering the farming communities at the heart of the value chain.

    “Over the past month, we have expanded our export capacity, onboarded new partners, and deepened investments in sustainability initiatives that guarantee long-term supply stability,” he said.

    He added that the company’s recent milestones reflect a deliberate push to position SpenAgro as a dependable supplier in a tightening international market.

    Industry watchers say the firm’s swift rise underscores the strong leadership of Mbachu, whose focus on strengthening farmer networks, improving processing standards, and building credible export systems has set SpenAgro apart.

    With global demand climbing and competition tightening, stakeholders agree that SpenAgro, under its confident and strategic CEO, is one company to watch in the months ahead.

  • Experts seek innovation to fix Nigeria’s food crisis

    Experts seek innovation to fix Nigeria’s food crisis

    Agricultural and food security experts have raised alarm over Nigeria’s worsening hunger levels, calling for urgent, innovation-driven solutions to rebuild the country’s agro-food systems.

    They made the call yesterday at Agroween ’25: Food, Agriculture and Innovation Festival organised by the Intergenerational Rescue Foundation (IRF) in collaboration with the Department of Social Work, University of Lagos (UNILAG).

    The Chief Operating Officer of IRF, Mrs. Bimbola Aghahowa, said hunger has become one of the most alarming social challenges facing Nigerian families, with millions now struggling to meet basic food needs. She said the trend required immediate and collective action from the government, institutions and citizens.

    Aghahowa cautioned against blaming parents for rising poverty and hunger, insisting that structural failures and governance gaps remained at the heart of the crisis.

    “African youths often blame their parents for their shortcomings. But our parents are not to be blamed. It is the government and us. If irresponsibility continues, the young ones coming after us will say the same thing about us,” she said.

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    Citing global and national data, she warned that about 25.6 per cent of Nigerians (approximately 50 million people) suffer from hunger, compared to the global average of 9.2 per cent.

    “Lagos has a hunger rate of about 30 per cent. In the Southwest, it is between 20 and 25 per cent; in the Southeast, it is around 15 to 20 per cent; and in the North, it is as high as 50 per cent. These numbers are staggering and require collective action,” she said.

    Aghahowa said IRF’s ‘Food Not for Sale’ model frames food as a basic human right rather than a commodity, adding that the initiative encourages food redistribution, community involvement and the establishment of food pantries across Agroween chapters.

    She explained that Agroween was conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic when food shortages worsened. According to her, the “Food Not for Sale” theory proposes a paradigm shift in addressing food insecurity through community-driven, redistributive mechanisms that guarantee access to nutritious food for all.

    She urged stakeholders to prioritise food security, stressing that society has a moral duty to ensure that no one is denied a basic meal.

    Delivering the keynote address, Professor Vide Adedayo of the Department of Geography, UNILAG, described Nigeria as one of the world’s hunger hotspots, warning that food insecurity has escalated steadily between 2018 and 2024.

    She noted that the country was operating a fragile system marked by low technology adoption, heavy dependence on food imports, climate pressure, weak data management and poor policy coordination.

    According to her, the rising cost of living, the shrinking impact of existing agricultural policies and the intensifying effects of climate change are pushing more Nigerians into hunger. She added that up to half of the food produced in the country is wasted annually, even as millions remained food insecure.

    Adedayo stressed that Nigeria must embrace a culture of innovation to meet the food needs of an estimated 401 million citizens by 2050, noting that innovation must span the full food chain.

    She added that Nigeria’s vast agricultural land and youthful population were a strong base for transformation, noting that traditional farming practices such as agroforestry, crop rotation, composting, water harvesting and communal farming could be strengthened with technology for sustainability.

    On policy alignment, Adedayo said, despite several existing frameworks, such as the Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy, the National Adaptation Plan and the National Agri-Food System Investment Plan, implementation remained fragmented due to low public awareness. She called for the reform and relaunch of the Operation Feed the Nation initiative as a solution to rising urbanisation and household food insecurity.

    The Chairman of the Lekki Urban Forest and Animal Shelter Initiative, Prof. Desmond Majekodunmi, linked the country’s deepening hunger burden to environmental crises, warning that depleted soils and climate-induced disruptions continue to undermine food production.

    He said many environmental problems were human-induced, adding that sustainable farming must form the backbone of any long-term solution. Majekodunmi urged young Nigerians to embrace agriculture to improve national resilience and significant health benefits.

    “The environmental issues, we brought them upon ourselves. But the key to solving them is ensuring that young people are inspired to go into agriculture because not only will they produce food, there are health benefits as well,” he said.

    Head, Department of Social Work, UNILAG, Prof. Samuel Adejoh, said food insecurity was a major social welfare emergency requiring coordinated academic, community and policy responses. He said social work was crucial for community mobilisation, behaviour change, advocacy and strengthening support systems.

    He stressed that universities must move beyond theory to produce solution-driven research that supports innovation, community resilience and sustainable development.

    Founder of Comtrade Group, Abiodun Oladapo, warned that worsening insecurity is crippling food production and distorting rural economies. He said community-wide kidnappings have become frequent that entire villages now live in fear, leaving farmers unable to work freely or move their produce without heavy security.

    He added that despite food prices rising from under N2,000 to nearly N100,000 within four years, farmers’ incomes have not grown proportionately, deepening poverty and discouraging investment.

    A panelist, Adeyemi Adedayo, lamented the decline of practical agriculture in Nigerian schools, saying hands-on agricultural education would improve engagement, stimulate food production and equip young people with survival skills.

    He argued that replacing edible crops with ornamental plants undermines food security efforts.

    Adedayo called for curriculum reforms that prioritise practical farming, medicinal plants and local problem-solving, adding that universities must revive commercial agriculture.

  • Chinese firm unveils agric product in Kano

    Chinese firm unveils agric product in Kano

    A Chinese agricultural investment firm, Smartisan Investment Nigeria Limited, has introduced a new spraying technology aimed at boosting crop yield and reducing production costs for farmers.

    Speaking during a demonstration in Kura Local Government Area of Kano State, the company’s representative, Charles Lee, said the technology—popularly referred to as agricultural spraying drums—has the capacity to replace the tedious traditional method of applying fertilizer and other chemicals manually.

    Lee, who has lived in Nigeria for 16 years, said the new device can perform the work of about 40 farmhands in a single day, making it possible to complete large-scale spraying within hours.

    According to him, the inefficiency of manual spraying often results in significant losses during pest outbreaks, as many farmers are unable to cover their farmlands within the critical period of two to three days.

    “With this machine, a farmer can finish spraying 10 hectares in one day. When pests arrive, you don’t have time to waste because the damage can reach 50 percent. This technology ensures quick response,” he said.

  • NALDA targets high-integrity carbon credits to boost rural income

    NALDA targets high-integrity carbon credits to boost rural income

    The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has announced a renewed drive to generate high-integrity carbon credits through its expanding network of farm estates, a move the agency said will accelerate rural wealth creation and support Nigeria’s push toward a middle-income economy.

    Speaking during NALDA’s COP30 side event in Belém, Brazil, the Executive Secretary/CEO, Cornelius Adebayo described the carbon-credit initiative as both a climate intervention and a socio-economic strategy aimed at empowering farmers.

    Under the Renewed Hope Mega Farm Estates programme, Adebayo said NALDA will allocate five hectares of farmland to each farmer, giving them a sustainable source of income while allowing them to earn from carbon credits generated through structured tree-planting and reforestation efforts across the estates.

    He said the estates, which range from 5,000 to 25,000 hectares, function as fully mechanised agricultural settlements with access roads, irrigation systems, processing hubs, energy infrastructure, and perimeter fencing lined with climate-resilient trees planted to produce certified carbon removals.

    “We want to move Nigerians from a low-income bracket to a true middle-class economy. By combining agricultural productivity with carbon-credit earnings, farmers can become independent, prosperous, and globally competitive.”

    During the event, NALDA also showcased its Plantation Carbon Roadmap, which brings over 20,000 hectares of restored and rehabilitated plantations under rigorous Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) protocols, ensuring transparency and global credibility in the voluntary carbon market.

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    He added that NALDA is building a carbon-credit framework that uplifts communities”, he said.

    “Every credit earned must translate into improved incomes, restored landscapes, and strengthened food systems. That is the value we bring to global climate action.”

    He further disclosed that it signed new cooperation agreements at the event to enhance verification capacity, align registry systems, and deepen international collaboration.

    The side event drew climate negotiators, development partners, private-sector leaders, technical experts, financial institutions, and international observers, all of whom engaged with NALDA’s model for integrating climate finance into agricultural development.