Nigeria Unveils 10-Year Agrifood Strategy to Strengthen Food Security and Modernise Agriculture

By: Oluwaseun M. Lawal

For decades, Nigeria has launched one agricultural programme after another. Some improved harvests. Others faded before reaching their full potential. Now, the Federal Government says it wants to change the pattern—not with another short-term intervention, but with a decade-long roadmap designed to reshape the country’s entire food system.

The new 10-Year National Agrifood System Strategy and Action Plan (2026–2035) was officially unveiled in Abuja on July 23. Government officials describe it as more than an agriculture policy. They say it is a blueprint for building a stronger food system that supports farmers, attracts investment, creates jobs, improves processing, and ultimately makes food more available and affordable for Nigerians.

At the heart of the strategy is a simple idea: producing more food alone is no longer enough.

Crops must move efficiently from farms to markets. Farmers need access to finance and technology. Processing industries have to grow. And the institutions responsible for agriculture must work together instead of operating in silos. That’s the direction the government says it wants to take over the next ten years.

The framework also serves as Nigeria’s national implementation plan for the African Union’s Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration, which guides agricultural transformation across the continent between 2026 and 2035.

Speaking during the Agrifood System Working Group Meeting in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described agriculture as one of the country’s most important economic sectors.

According to him, the agrifood system supports the livelihoods of more than 70 percent of Nigerians, fuels rural economies, contributes significantly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product, and remains one of the biggest opportunities for job creation and economic diversification.

“When our agrifood system thrives, Nigeria thrives,” the minister said, emphasizing that meaningful reform must extend beyond increasing crop production.

Learning from Past Challenges

Nigeria is no stranger to ambitious agricultural policies.

Successive administrations have introduced programmes aimed at boosting food production, supporting farmers, and reducing dependence on food imports. While some delivered measurable gains, many struggled with inconsistent implementation, inadequate funding, weak coordination among institutions, and poor infrastructure.

Government officials believe the new strategy takes a different path.

Instead of focusing almost entirely on production, it adopts what experts call an agrifood systems approach—one that looks at every stage of the food value chain, from production and storage to transportation, processing, marketing, nutrition, and sustainability.

Kyari said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the development of the long-term strategy because food security should be treated as a matter of national security. That, he argued, requires a coordinated roadmap rather than isolated projects that begin and end with political administrations.

Governance Takes Centre Stage

One theme appeared repeatedly throughout the discussions: governance.

Officials insist that lasting agricultural transformation depends not only on improved seeds or fertilizer distribution but also on strong institutions, reliable data, transparent decision-making, and effective collaboration between the federal and state governments.

Without those foundations, they argue, even well-designed programmes are unlikely to deliver lasting results.

The strategy therefore places governance at the center of implementation, alongside accountability mechanisms intended to track progress throughout the next decade.

Recognition Beyond Nigeria

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) welcomed the new framework, describing it as an important milestone for both Nigeria and the African continent.

According to the organization, Nigeria has become the first country to develop a national strategy specifically aimed at implementing the commitments contained in the CAADP Kampala Declaration.

IFAD noted that the approach could serve as a practical model for other African countries seeking to translate continental agricultural commitments into national action plans.

The agency also acknowledged the contributions of government institutions, research organizations, development partners, farmer associations, women’s groups, youth organizations, and private-sector stakeholders who participated in developing the strategy.

Farmers, Women and Young People in Focus

One noticeable feature of the roadmap is its emphasis on inclusion.

Rather than concentrating solely on commercial agriculture, the strategy recognizes the central role played by smallholder farmers, who produce much of Nigeria’s food supply.

Women, young people, rural communities, persons with disabilities, and internally displaced persons are also identified as priority groups expected to benefit from future investments and policy interventions.

Climate resilience and improved nutrition are equally woven into the framework, reflecting the growing pressure climate change places on food production across the country.

Technology Expected to Drive Change

Modern agriculture increasingly depends on technology, and the new strategy reflects that reality.

Officials envision wider use of digital farmer registries, electronic extension services, climate advisory platforms, digital financial services, and market information systems to improve productivity and make farming more profitable.

Supporters say better data could also help policymakers allocate resources more effectively while giving farmers quicker access to weather information, financing opportunities, and technical advice.

Beyond Farming—Creating Value

The government’s ambition extends well beyond crop production.

Officials say investments in agro-processing will receive greater attention so agricultural products can be processed closer to where they are grown, creating more jobs while reducing post-harvest losses.

Existing initiatives—including Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, mechanisation programmes, improved seed distribution, fertilizer support, cocoa revitalisation efforts, and financing for smallholder farmers—are expected to complement the broader strategy.

The goal is straightforward. Instead of exporting raw agricultural commodities, Nigeria wants to capture more value through local processing and manufacturing.

The Real Test Begins Now

The announcement has generated optimism among policymakers and development partners. Still, many acknowledge that drafting a strategy is only the beginning.

Its success will depend on consistent funding, effective implementation, political commitment, infrastructure development, and sustained cooperation among governments, farmers, researchers, civil society organizations, and private investors.

Kyari said the Agrifood System Working Group will oversee implementation, monitor progress, identify challenges, and recommend adjustments where necessary.

IFAD echoed that view, stressing that long-term commitment and accountability will determine whether the strategy delivers meaningful change.

For millions of Nigerians whose livelihoods depend on agriculture, the next decade could prove decisive. The vision has been outlined. The roadmap is now in place.

The harder part, perhaps, is turning those plans into results that farmers can actually see in their fields—and consumers can feel at the market.