The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has reaffirmed its commitment to boosting domestic food production and enhancing national food security, revealing that nearly 1.9 million bags of fertiliser have been distributed to close to one million farmers over the past two years.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this in Abuja during the ministry’s Quarterly Stakeholder Engagement, attended by members of the media, civil society organisations, farmer associations, agro-allied groups, professional bodies, development partners, and donor agencies.
The forum aimed to review the ministry’s performance and gather recommendations to help Nigeria achieve food sovereignty and reduce reliance on food imports.
Kyari highlighted other achievements, including the distribution of 12,000 litres of organic fertiliser to promote sustainable soil management, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and forging international partnerships with Russia, Turkiye, India, and Canada to enhance fertiliser production and facilitate technology transfer.
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He added that the ministry has reinforced regulatory oversight in the fertiliser sector, training and equipping 109 fertiliser inspectors, while over 329 industry stakeholders received training on compliance standards.
The minister also noted that the government has intensified measures against the circulation of adulterated fertilisers, including prosecuting offenders to safeguard farmers and boost agricultural productivity.
“We have constructed a National Reference Laboratory and upgraded the National Fertilizer Management Platform to enhance fertilizer quality control, ensure regulatory compliance, and promote transparency in the fertilizer supply chain,” he said.
Kyari further revealed that more than 3,500 farmers were trained on the use of organic fertilisers and soil management techniques to encourage sustainable agricultural practices.
The minister also referenced the 2025 Agricultural Performance Survey conducted by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) in partnership with the ministry and other agencies. The survey indicated growth in Nigeria’s agricultural output, with crops such as rice, maize, sorghum, millet, cowpea, yam and cassava recording higher production levels compared to 2024.
“We are focusing on boosting local production and reducing our reliance on imports, with the ultimate goal of making affordable, nutritious food accessible to all Nigerians. Our efforts are starting to pay off, with a notable impact on food prices. In fact, prices of essential food commodities have dropped by 50% nationwide.
“This is in contrast to previous years when food prices skyrocketed, way beyond what most Nigerians could afford. These efforts reflect our commitment to improving food security and the overall well-being of citizens. We are working to sustain this trend by addressing high input costs to ensure food remains accessible and affordable.
“Our strategic focus on developing key value chains is positioning Nigeria as a major player in global agricultural market.
We have prioritised and developed the rice, maize, wheat, millet, sorghum, yam, cocoa, kenaf, cowpea, cassava, soybeans, cotton, onion, tomato, and oil palm value chains, thereby creating opportunities for millions of smallholder farmers and other stakeholders.
“The provision of high-quality seeds, agrochemicals, safety kits, pest and disease management packs, coupled with capacity building initiatives undertaken in years 2024 and 2025 has significantly bolstered our agricultural value chains.”
He explained that the interventions were helping farmers increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses and improve the quality of their produce.
“By enhancing their productivity, we have helped these farmers to transition from subsistence farming to thriving agribusinesses, contributing to national food security, employment generation, and economic growth,” he stressed.
Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, emphasised the importance of citizen participation and transparency in governance.
“Democracy thrives when citizens participate, when the media reports responsibly, and when leaders are accessible.
“This engagement session represents a new culture of governance, one that welcomes dialogue, encourages scrutiny, and values constructive contributions.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is not merely a slogan; it is a structured programme of economic stabilisation, institutional reform, infrastructure renewal, and human development.
“Transformation takes time, resilience, and collective effort. However, the direction is clear and the commitment unwavering. Let me assure Nigerians that this administration remains focused on delivering measurable progress across all sectors. Through transparency, partnership, and sustained reform, we will build a stronger, more secure, and more prosperous nation,” he said.
Idris also commended the agriculture ministry for organising the engagement forum and advancing the country’s food security agenda.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, reiterated the ministry’s determination to achieve food sovereignty for Nigeria.
In his welcome address, the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, underscored the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in transforming Nigeria’s agricultural and food systems.
“This gathering is a crucial platform for us to share ideas, align our efforts, and drive meaningful progress in Nigeria’s agricultural and food systems. It is a testament to the fact that agricultural transformation cannot be achieved in isolation.
“Rather, it requires collaboration, openness, and sustained engagement among all stakeholders.
“The primary goal of this engagement is to foster strong and enduring partnerships with you—our valued stakeholders.
“This collaborative approach will enhance accountability, improve programme delivery, and lead to more effective and targeted interventions across the agricultural value chain.”
During the interactive session, participants raised issues including the timely supply of quality seedlings to farmers, fertiliser costs, partnerships with bakers on wheat production to reduce the high cost of bread, achieving development goals and promoting inclusivity.
The ministers assured stakeholders that the concerns would be addressed as part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s agricultural sector.