The Nigerian government is encouraging local and international stakeholders to invest in large-scale mechanized farming as part of the efforts to boost the agricultural sector. This appeal was made by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, during the opening of the first-ever Farm, Food, and Allied Technologies Expo in Abuja. Kyari emphasized the growing interest in agriculture, especially in the context of Nigeria’s shift away from oil dependency and the government’s goal to diversify the economy.
At the expo, the President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Emeka Obegolu, echoed the government’s call, stressing the importance of modernizing agriculture to ensure its sustainability. He highlighted the sector’s challenges, including climate change, financing, and outdated infrastructure, and called for increased investment and innovation, particularly through stronger partnerships with countries like China. The expo was seen as a key platform to attract investment in Nigeria’s agro-allied sector.
Chief of Defense Staff General Christopher Musa, also addressed the expo, underscoring the critical need for security to protect Nigerian farmers. He warned that ongoing security issues, such as insurgency and climate change-related disruptions, pose significant risks to food security in the country. Musa stressed that protecting farming communities and investing in agricultural infrastructure is vital to safeguarding the nation’s food supply and achieving long-term food security goals.
