By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector into a wealth-creating economy through value addition, agro-industrialisation and improved market access.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus O. Ogunbiyi, stated this at the opening of the Technical Session of the 48th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS) held in Enugu.
Ogunbiyi said the government’s agricultural development agenda went beyond increasing food production to building an economy that supports industries, generates employment and contributes significantly to national economic growth.
He spoke on Monday, during the meeting themed, "Enhancing Agricultural Value Chains, Agro-Industrialization and Market Access for Economic Growth."
According to him in a statement by the Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Head of the Department of Information, the Council remains the highest policy coordination platform for Federal and State Governments on agriculture and food security, providing an avenue to harmonise policies and develop practical solutions to challenges confronting the country's food systems.
He observed that many Nigerian agricultural commodities were still sold in raw or minimally processed forms, resulting in lost opportunities for income generation, industrial development and export earnings.
The Permanent Secretary said the Federal Government was prioritising commodity-based value chains to connect smallholder and commercial farmers with processors, manufacturers and markets.
He listed rice, cassava, maize, sorghum, cocoa, oil palm, sesame, ginger, tomatoes, livestock and fisheries products among the priority commodities for processing and value addition.
On market access, Ogunbiyi emphasised the need to strengthen agricultural aggregation, improve market information systems, promote product standards, grading and certification, and maximise opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
He said while the Federal Government would provide policy direction, research and innovation, State Governments were expected to mobilise farmers, provide land and infrastructure, and create an enabling environment for agribusiness investments
He added that agro-industrialisation efforts would be complemented by interventions in food and nutrition security, farmers' welfare, women's and youths' inclusion, climate-smart agriculture, mechanisation, irrigation and affordable financing.
Ogunbiyi identified seven priority areas for the Council, including strengthening agricultural value chains, accelerating agro-industrialisation, expanding market access, mobilising private-sector investment, promoting inclusive growth, improving institutional coordination, and ensuring implementation and accountability.
He commended the Enugu State Government and people for hosting the meeting, urging participants to translate their deliberations into measurable actions.
In his remarks, the Enugu State Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation commended the Federal Ministry for its partnership, describing the collaboration as an example of how Federal and State Governments could work together to advance the interests of Nigerian farmers.
He said the Technical Session provided an opportunity to translate policies into practical programmes, partnerships and investments that would benefit farmers and agro-processors.
Also welcoming delegates, the Deputy Director, Administration and Supply, Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation, Mrs. Ifeoma Onu, highlighted the agricultural development agenda of Governor Peter Mbah.
She said the state was pursuing a transition from subsistence to commercial and mechanised agriculture through initiatives including a 300,000-hectare agricultural land bank, Smart Farm Estates across the 17 local government areas, the 260 Farm Estate Programme and the establishment of a tractor assembly plant.
In a goodwill message, the Senior Strategic Partnerships and Business Development Coordinator of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC), Idris Mohammed, commended the Federal Government's agricultural transformation efforts.
Mohammed highlighted support for increasing NIRSAL Credit Risk Guarantee coverage for tomato plastic crates from 30 per cent to 50 per cent, with coverage reportedly reaching 75 per cent for some beneficiaries.
He said the intervention would help reduce financing risks and post-harvest losses.
He disclosed that IFDC was marking 25 years of partnership with Nigeria, adding that collaboration with the Federal Ministry had been strengthened following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding earlier in the year and the establishment of the IFDC-FMAFS multi-stakeholder platform.
He also highlighted the Centre's Soil Values Programme in Kano, Jigawa and Bauchi states, which demonstrates how improved soil management can restore degraded farmland and increase agricultural productivity.
The Technical Session attracted Permanent Secretaries, heads of agencies, development partners, private-sector operators, farmers' organisations, research institutions and other stakeholders.