World food day commemoration
Growth
The Federal Government says Nigeria’s agricultural sector is back on a strong growth trajectory for the first time since 2021, recording 4.39 per cent overall growth in the second quarter of 2026.
Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security said this at the commemoration of World Food Day 2026.
The theme for 2026 is “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow”.
Abdullahi noted that based on National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), crop production has expanding by 3.66 per cent adding that government reforms and investments were making impact.
Abdullahi said the theme captures the reality that tomorrow’s food security will be determined by today’s innovations.
The minister noted that the Federal Government was transforming agriculture into a productive, resilient, competitive and investment-driven sector capable of feeding the population and driving economic growth under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
“Our approach is anchored on producing more food, reducing food losses, strengthening agricultural value chains and enabling farmers to produce profitably.
“Our reforms are yielding results, with crop production expanding by 3.66 per cent in second quarter of 2026 according to NBS,” he said.
Abdullahi said that government has supported smallholder farmers to produce 2.5 million metric tonnes of staple foods in four farming seasons through the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP).
According to him, Nigeria’s annual domestic wheat production has risen to approximately 420,000 metric tonnes, representing a 3.5-fold increase from the previous baseline of 120,000 metric tonnes.
“Government has moved from rhetoric to action with the commissioning of the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme with 2,000 tractors and implements to make farming more efficient, less labour-intensive and attractive to youth.
“Other interventions include the commencement of soil mapping under the National Soil Health and Fertility Programme and promotion of bio-fortified crops.
“We have trained frontline extension agents and digital e-extension platforms linked to the National Farmers Registry harmonised with NIN.
“Government is decisively tackling high food prices at source through aggressive dry-season farming, investments in Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZs), storage and cold-chain facilities
“This initiative is basically to cut post-harvest losses from 40 per cent to under 20 per cent, combined with orderly release from the Strategic Food Reserve and a Guaranteed Minimum Price,”he said.
He identified other measures of the government to include said government promotion of climate-smart agriculture, expanding irrigation, repositioning the Bank of Agriculture (BOA)for affordable financing, and strengthening agricultural insurance and pest surveillance.
According to him, the implementation of the National Cooperative Identity Reform under the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (RH-CRRP 2030) will transform the cooperative ecosystem into a credible, transparent and bankable economic bloc.
Abdullahi noted that government has intensified security efforts by deploying more personnel of the Army, Civil Defence, agro-rangers to protect farmlands and enhanced collaboration between security agencies and farming communities in northern part of the country being the major food-producing belt.
“Food security is a collective responsibility. We remain resolute in building a sector capable of feeding the nation and driving economic growth,” he said.
Also, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary in the ministry identified the walk as a reaffirmation of collective commitment to food, humanity’s most fundamental need.
He identified World Food Day, observed annually on October 16 to commemorate the establishment of the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 1945 as a call to action to look beyond the food on tables
According to him, the day is to consider the farmers who produce it, the systems that preserve and distribute it, and the millions who still struggle to afford a healthy meal.
He says “this year’s theme, “Innovate Today. Nourish Tomorrow,” is particularly relevant as it reminds Nigerians that the future of food security depends on decisions and investments made today.
“Innovation must go beyond machinery and digital technology to include improved seeds, better farming practices, efficient irrigation, sustainable soil management, effective storage, processing, improved transportation and reduction of post-harvest losses, especially for smallholder farmers, women and youth,”
Ogunbiyi said with Nigeria’s rapidly growing population, the country must strengthen capacity to produce sufficient, safe and nutritious food year-round, ensure affordability, improve productivity, strengthen value chains, encourage private-sector investment and build resilience to climate, economic and security shocks.
Ogunbiyi emphasised that food security is not government’s responsibility alone but all and sundry.
He reaffirmed government commitment to agriculture as a major driver of economic growth, job creation and national food security, urging Nigerians to embrace innovation to secure the nation’s food future.
He commended FAO, International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), World Bank among others and for their support as well as women and youth farmers whose dedication and creativity sustain the nation. (NAN)
