Author: Adewale Kupoluyi

The Federal Government, through the Equipment Leasing Registration Authority, has said expanding access to equipment leasing is critical to boosting agricultural productivity, strengthening food security, and empowering young Nigerians to build sustainable agribusinesses. The authority made this known at the grand finale of the fifth edition of the Agriculture, Youth and Technology Nigeria Challenge, organised by Heifer International Nigeria, where it reaffirmed its strategic partnership with the development organisation to improve young entrepreneurs’ access to productive assets through affordable leasing solutions. Speaking at the event, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of ELRA, Donald Wokoma, said inadequate access to equipment and modern technology…

President Bola Tinubu has declared that Nigeria would no longer export raw cocoa beans while importing finished chocolate products, unveiling an ambitious plan to transform the country’s cocoa industry through local processing, industrialisation, and value addition. Represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, at the Cocoa Value Addition Summit 2026 in Abuja, the President said the era of exporting raw agricultural commodities without capturing their full economic value must end, as Nigeria seeks to create jobs, attract investments, and earn more foreign exchange from cocoa. The summit, themed “From Bean to Brand: The Bean in My Hand, The Brand in…

The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment is to host the fourth edition of LCCI Invest Nigeria Conference and Expo 4.0, at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos State, between September 1 and 2, 2026.The first, second, and third editions of the Invest Nigeria, were successfully held in the years 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively with about 46 countries participating in the conference and expo sessions, where they highlighted investment opportunities available in their countries in the presence of top government officials.…

The Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones Programme, in partnership with the International Fund for Agricultural Development, has trained farmers in the use of the Agricultural Market Information System, in a bid to continually improve the capacity of smallholder farmers. The initiative is aimed at improving access to real-time information and market data to enhance agricultural productivity. The training, held in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, brought together multi-stakeholder agribusiness forum chairmen, smallholder farmers, cooperative leaders, and agribusiness stakeholders from the SAPZ clusters. According to the statement, the programme focused on “equipping farmers with practical knowledge on how to access, interpret, and apply market information…

Cabbage sauce is one of the simplest, healthiest, and most affordable vegetable dishes enjoyed in many Nigerian homes. Made primarily from fresh cabbage and other nutritious vegetables, this flavourful sauce is versatile enough to be served with rice, yam, potatoes, pasta, plantain, and even bread.In recent years, cabbage sauce has gained popularity among health-conscious consumers due to its rich nutritional content, ease of preparation, and affordability. Beyond being a delicious meal, cabbage sauce also plays an important role in supporting vegetable farming, agribusiness development, and the local agricultural economy.What is cabbage sauce?Cabbage sauce is a vegetable-based dish made from shredded…

There was a time when cooperation and food security were the cornerstones of farming. It was a way of life I once lived, witnessed and participated in as a child during school vacations in Okopedi, Okobo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, with my maternal grandmother of blessed memory, late Mrs. Mary Godwin Anso, who passed away on the 20th November, 2022, at the age of 94. Communal farming is the practice whereby members of a community collectively cultivate land they jointly own and manage to strengthen community ties and enhance food security. Okobo was predominantly a farming…

Owho soup is one of the most-cherished traditional dishes of the Urhobo people of Delta State, Nigeria. Known for its smooth, slightly thick texture and deep, savoury flavour, this soup stands out for its simplicity and unique preparation method. Unlike many Nigerian soups that rely heavily on vegetables, owho soup focuses on a rich broth thickened with starch and flavoured with spices, palm oil, and assorted proteins.How can you identify owho soup?Owho soup is a traditional Nigerian soup made primarily from palm oil, ground crayfish, seasoning, and a starch-based thickener (commonly garri or starch). It is typically paired with soft…

No fewer than 5,642 smallholder farmers in Gombe State have benefited from the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund, following the flag-off of the distribution of fertilisers and other agricultural inputs for the 2026 wet farming season. FarmingFarmersFarms gathered that the programme is implemented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture and Algir Integrated Services Limited, aimed at boosting food production, improving farmers’ access to quality inputs and strengthening agricultural value chains across the country. The Renewed Hope Smallholder Support and Value Chain Fund is one of the Federal Government’s flagship agricultural…

Soya milk drink has become one of the most popular plant-based beverages worldwide, and its popularity continues to grow in Nigeria and across Africa. Made from soybeans, this nutritious drink is valued for its rich protein content, affordability, and numerous health benefits. Beyond its nutritional value, soya milk also plays significant role in supporting agriculture, agribusiness, rural livelihoods, and food security.What is soya milk?Soya milk, also known as soy milk, is a plant-based beverage made from soybeans and water. It is produced by soaking, grinding, boiling, and filtering soybeans to obtain a creamy, milk-like liquid. Unlike dairy milk, soya milk…

The Executive Director, Soy Excellence Centre and Sub-Saharan Africa for United States Soybean Export Council (USSEC), Brent Babb, has disclosed that Nigeria imported 62,000 tonnes of US soybeans in early 2025 after a six-year break. Babb stated this during the USSEC and US Soy Nigeria: Now Conference 2026, held recently in Lagos. “Over 60% of the US soybean crop is exported worldwide. We’ve worked extensively in Asia and North Africa, and we see strong opportunities in Sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria as the regional leader”, he noted. According to Babb, population growth is driving demand, yet per capita protein consumption remains low. “That…