Stakeholders urge FG to address agricultural sector challenges

Stakeholders at the ongoing National Agricultural Show, have urged the federal government to urgently tackle challenges plaguing the agricultural sector to achieve food security. 

Participants at the event, held along the Abuja-Keffi Expressway, included leaders of farmers’ associations, heads of agricultural agencies and research institutes, representatives from local and state governments, commodity association leaders, and private sector members. 

Key issues identified by stakeholders include high input costs, rising inflation, insecurity, and transportation expenses, which they say are severely impacting agricultural productivity. 

The President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the National Agricultural Foundation of Nigeria, Arch. Kabir Ibrahim, in his welcome address, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to personally attend the event to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to agriculture. 

Arch. Ibrahim expressed concern that inflation and insecurity continue to undermine farmers’ efforts to ensure food availability. 

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, represented by the Chairman of Karu Local Government, Barrister Abubakar Madaki, appealed to the federal government to elevate the agricultural show to a major national event. He also called for the development of infrastructure at the showground to make it more appealing to stakeholders. 

Representing the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Director of Planning and Policy Coordination, Tanimu Ibrahim, assured attendees that the government is addressing critical challenges faced by farmers. He highlighted ongoing initiatives to boost grain supply, including input support for smallholder farmers during both the wet and dry farming seasons. 

The 2024 National Agricultural Show marks the 16th edition of the event, a four-day annual gathering aimed at fostering networking and collaboration among stakeholders in the agricultural sector.