The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, on Wednesday lauded the significant agricultural investments and processing initiatives currently underway in Kaduna State.
Kyari made the remarks after touring facilities at Olam Agri, Tomato Jos, and the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone (SAPZ) during the 47th National Council on Agriculture and Food Security (NCAFS).
He noted that these facilities demonstrated Nigeria’s growing capability in crop production, value addition, and quality assurance.
“It’s encouraging to see the full cycle from production to processing,” Kyari said. “We also observed a quality assurance office being constructed by Afreximbank to certify Nigerian produce for both domestic and international markets.”
The minister highlighted the increasing participation of young people and women in agriculture, challenging the perception that investors shy away from the sector.
“We met a young woman managing a rice mill with women outgrowers — this shows confidence and strong engagement,” he added.
Kyari assured that the Federal Government was actively addressing the high cost of inputs and would restock strategic reserves to boost productivity and enhance farmers’ incomes.
“The President is ensuring a balance between citizen welfare and supporting farmers. Input prices are being tackled, and reserves will soon be replenished for year-round production,” he said.
Addressing concerns from Tomato Jos about poor sales due to smuggling, the minister confirmed that the issue was being managed at the highest levels.
“The Economic Management Team has taken note of illegal imports and smuggling, and measures are underway to protect local producers,” Kyari explained.
Regarding liquid fertiliser, he emphasized that the product’s security-sensitive nature required careful policy oversight.
“Liquid fertiliser must be handled cautiously to ensure public safety, while still supporting farmers effectively,” he said.
Kyari concluded by reaffirming the government’s dedication to fostering sustainable agricultural development and strengthening partnerships to ensure long-term food security in the country.