Nigeria's Agricultural Reforms Aim to Ensure Food Security for 400 Million Citizens

The Federal Government of Nigeria has embarked on a comprehensive agricultural reform to guarantee food availability, accessibility, and affordability for its projected 400 million citizens by 2050. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, outlined the government's strategy to tackle challenges such as insecurity, flooding, and import dependency, particularly in wheat and rice production. The reform involves a national wheat farming program, successful rice production, and partnerships with international bodies to reduce post-harvest losses and increase output.

Key Takeaways:

• The Federal Government has launched a national wheat farming program to reduce the importation of wheat by six million tonnes annually, with Cross River becoming the first southern state to join.
• Fertiliser distribution under the program has boosted rice production by 58,000 tonnes, enabling the Federal Government to subsidise rice supply to states affected by flooding.
• The ministry has championed a successful rice program, leading to positive harvests nationwide, with 80% of Nigeria's food being produced by local farmers.
• The government is focused on mechanised agriculture and youth empowerment to guarantee long-term food security.
• Nigeria has partnered with Brazil to preserve, process, and store perishable food items to reduce post-harvest losses.
• The partnership with Belarus aims to significantly increase output through aggregation services.
• Only three of Nigeria's silo sites are currently functional, but plans are underway to reactivate the remaining facilities.

Statistics:

• Nigeria imports six million tonnes of wheat annually.
• Rice production has been boosted by 58,000 tonnes through fertiliser distribution under the national wheat farming program.
• 80% of Nigeria's food is produced by local farmers.
• Nigeria's population is projected to reach 400 million by 2050.
• Nigeria has partnered with Brazil and Belarus for post-harvest loss reductions and output increase.
• Only three of Nigeria's silo sites are currently functional.

Sources:

• News Agency of Nigeria (09 June 2025)
• Statement by Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security.