Abuja, June 4, 2026 – The Federal Government has called on development partners, private sector actors, and relevant institutions to deepen collaboration toward building an agricultural system that is productive, inclusive, resilient, and globally competitive.
The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, made the call on Thursday in Abuja during the conferment of the African Organisation for Standardisation (ARSO) Quality Mark Award on five rice processing groups from Niger State.
The awardees, supported under the Federal Government/International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)–Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), were recognised for their strong commitment to quality assurance, food safety, and excellence in agro-processing.
The beneficiary groups, drawn from Borgu, Mokwa, Edati, and Kontagora Local Government Areas, earned the recognition after demonstrating compliance with internationally accepted quality standards.
Ogunbiyi said the recognition reflects the progress being made by rural agribusinesses and the growing emphasis on quality within Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
He noted that smallholder-based enterprises can compete effectively when provided with adequate knowledge, skills, infrastructure, and institutional support.
The Permanent Secretary acknowledged the role of IFAD in supporting agricultural transformation, adding that the partnership has contributed significantly to improving rural livelihoods across the country.
He stressed that quality has become a key requirement in modern agriculture, essential for market access, consumer confidence, food safety, and long-term business sustainability.
According to him, the Value Chain Development Programme has continued to promote value addition, quality assurance, and market-driven production among smallholder farmers and processors.
Ogunbiyi said the success of the awardees demonstrates the impact of investments in capacity building, processing facilities, business development services, market access, and standards compliance.
He added that these interventions have helped rural enterprises increase productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, improve product quality, and raise household incomes.
He further noted that the achievement aligns with the Ministry’s broader agenda of transforming agriculture into a modern, resilient, and commercially viable sector capable of ensuring food security, job creation, and economic growth.
Ogunbiyi urged the award recipients to sustain their commitment to quality and serve as models within their communities and the wider agricultural sector.
He also encouraged other farmers and processors to adopt best practices, maintain high standards, and continuously improve their operations.