The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has expressed satisfaction with the growing level of agricultural investment and processing activities in Kaduna State, noting that interest in the sector continues to rise among Nigerians.
The minister made this known after inspecting facilities at Olam Agri, Tomato Jos, and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) as part of the 47th National Council on Agriculture and Food Security.
Kyari said the facilities showcased Nigeria’s expanding capacity in crop production, value addition, and quality control, describing what he observed as “a reflection of the country’s agricultural progress.”
“It’s impressive what we’ve seen from crop production to processing. We also saw a quality assurance office being built by Afreximbank to certify Nigerian produce for both local and export markets,” he said.
The minister dismissed claims that investors were hesitant to invest in agriculture, pointing instead to increased participation by youth and women.
“There is rising interest in agriculture. We met a young lady managing a rice mill with women outgrowers — this shows strong participation and confidence in the sector,” Kyari added.
He noted that the federal government is taking steps to address high input costs and restock strategic grain reserves as part of efforts to boost food production and stabilize farmers’ incomes.
“Mr President is balancing the welfare of citizens and farmers. We are tackling input prices and will soon restock the reserves to enable all-year-round production,” he said.
Kyari also acknowledged concerns raised by Tomato Jos over poor sales caused by smuggling and assured that the matter was receiving attention at the presidential level.
“The Economic Management Team has noted the issue of smuggling and illegal imports, and it is being addressed to protect local producers,” he stated.
On the issue of liquid fertiliser, the minister said the product requires careful policy management because of its security implications.
“Liquid fertiliser is a security-sensitive material. The government will ensure policies that protect the public while supporting farmers,”.
He reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships, enhancing value chains, and achieving sustainable agricultural growth to guarantee national food security.
Agro Nigeria