…… Secures $1bn Brazil Deal, purchases 2,000 Belurusian Tractors to be Commissioned on 23rd.
By:Babagana Bukar Wakil, Maiduguri
Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to achieving national food security, advancing climate-resilient agriculture, and transforming rural livelihoods. Speaking in an exclusive interview at his home state, Senator Kyari emphasized the bold reforms under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and outlined key interventions that have sustained agricultural productivity despite climate-related challenges.
The Minister noted that the recent renaming of the ministry to the “Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security” was not merely symbolic but a clear reflection of the government’s renewed prioritization of food availability, affordability, and sustainability. He recalled that President Tinubu had declared a State of Emergency on Food Security, triggering a range of proactive policy and operational measures aimed at reversing decades of underperformance in the sector.
Nigeria, with a population exceeding 216 million people, relies heavily on agriculture, which remains the single largest employer of labor, engaging over 70 percent of the national workforce, according to the World Bank. Kyari pointed out that this dependence is threatened by recurring climate-induced disasters, particularly flooding and erratic rainfall, which continue to disrupt food production and access. In response, the federal government has initiated massive food distribution campaigns, releasing over 200 truckloads of assorted food items nationwide to cushion the effects of rising food prices and disrupted supply chains.
The Minister also lamented Nigeria’s heavy dependence on food imports, especially wheat. He noted that the country consumes about 6 million metric tons of wheat annually but spends over $8 billion on food imports. This, he said, is unsustainable and must be reversed through increased domestic production and support for dry-season farming initiatives.
Kyari unveiled the government’s aggressive mechanization strategy, which is part of four national programs designed to modernize food systems. As part of this initiative, Nigeria has procured 2,000 tractors, of which 1,000 have already been delivered and are ready for deployment. President Tinubu is expected to commission and flag off the distribution of these tractors on June 23, 2025.
The tractors, especially the Belarus models, are equipped with real-time GPS tracking systems and geo-fencing technology. These are linked to a centralized dashboard in Abuja, enabling monitoring and ensuring that each tractor functions only within its designated area, thereby preventing diversion or misuse.
Kyari explained that these innovations are expected to drastically boost productivity, reduce drudgery in farming, and create massive employment opportunities across rural communities. He also revealed the introduction of a locally developed implement known as the “Nigerian Hoe,” which, he emphasized, is not available anywhere else in the world and symbolizes home-grown innovation tailored for Africa’s agricultural needs.
In a significant international development, Kyari announced that Nigeria has signed a $1 billion agriculture development agreement with Brazil. This landmark deal will support technology transfer, mechanization, and capacity building, with the goal of boosting agro-industrial development and transforming Nigeria’s food systems.
He stated that over 1.5 million Nigerian farmers benefited from the federal government’s free distribution of MOP, UREA, and NPK fertilizers during the last wheat production season. The intervention, particularly impactful in northern Nigeria, was credited with averting a nationwide food crisis.
Despite the devastating floods and adverse weather conditions, the country recorded harvests of 58,000 tons of rice and 48,000 tons of millet, sorghum, and other staple crops. These figures, Kyari said, reflect the resilience of Nigeria’s agricultural system and the effectiveness of government interventions.
In pursuit of greater efficiency, the federal government has carved out two departments from the Agriculture Ministry, leading to the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Ministry of Livestock Development. Kyari praised the ministers leading these new portfolios, affirming that their work would further strengthen the agricultural value chain by focusing on fisheries and animal production systems.
Looking to the future, the Minister warned of the demographic pressure Nigeria will face by 2050, when the country’s population is projected to reach 400 million, with 80 percent of citizens under the age of 30. He said this impending growth necessitates urgent reforms in food systems, youth-targeted agribusiness development, and the widespread adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices.
He emphasized the need to maintain food affordability for Nigerian consumers. He said it is remarkable that locally produced food now accounts for nearly 80 percent of the nation’s consumption, but added that government must continue to prioritize consumer welfare and ensure food remains within reach for all Nigerians.
Kyari gave assurance that the federal government will continue to support states like Borno with subsidized food items and agricultural inputs, especially those most vulnerable to climate shocks.
The Minister concluded by expressing strong confidence in the outlook for the 2024 harvest, crediting the sector’s resilience to President Tinubu’s strategic investments, bold reforms, and the dedication of Nigerian farmers.
COV/BBW
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