Author: Adewale Kupoluyi

The Federal Government has inaugurated a Technical Working Group on Agricultural Produce Residue Standards to address recurring export rejections of Nigerian agricultural commodities arising from non-compliance with Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) and other sanitary and phytosanitary requirements. The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi, said the initiative was part of efforts to strengthen food safety systems and improve Nigeria’s competitiveness in regional and international agricultural markets. This was contained in a statement issued following the inauguration ceremony, held at the ministry’s conference room in Abuja. According to the minister, the inauguration marked another significant milestone in the Federal Government’s commitment…

Nigeria’s agriculture sector appears to be brimming with more opportunities for foreign investors, and from mechanisation to dairy and food processing. Wait a minute. The same market that promises scale and demand also presents real challenges. For international farmers and agribusinesses eyeing Nigeria, understanding these hurdles and the government’s push to address them is key to turning potentials into profit. Insecurity remains the most immediate threat to agricultural investment. Attacks on farms and disruptions along rural supply routes have weakened food distribution and driven up rural inflation to 16.36%, going by official statistics. Foreign investors cite security risks as a…

In a move to strengthen Nigeria’s food security drive, the Equipment Leasing Registration Authority and the National Agricultural Development Fund have signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at expanding access to agricultural machinery through structured leasing arrangements. The agreement was signed in Abuja by the Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of ELRA, Donald Wokoma, and the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of NADF, Mohammed Ibrahim. In a statement issued by ELRA’s Head of Media and Corporate Communication, Adebola Sunday, the partnership is designed to improve access to tractors, harvesters, irrigation systems, processing equipment, and other agricultural assets for farmers, cooperatives, and agribusiness operators. The statement quoted Wokoma as saying…

The State of Israel has disclosed that it has ongoing agricultural cooperation with Nigeria, noting that Israeli technology and seedlings are already being deployed by Nigerian farmers. Speaking in Abuja during Israel’s 78th Independence Anniversary celebration, the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, Michael Freeman, said Israeli companies are already operating in Nigeria. He added that while the seeds being planted were Israeli’s and supported by Israeli technology, the land and workers remained Nigerian. He added that the cooperation between both countries was expanding across innovation, agriculture, healthcare, security, education, and skills development, describing the initiatives as investments in a shared future. “When…

The Cocoa and Coffee Farmers Alliance Association of Africa has identified persistent market volatility, as one of the biggest threats to the sustainable development of Africa’s cocoa sector, warning that fluctuating prices continue to undermine farmers’ livelihoods and slow investment across the value chain. Speaking ahead of the Cocoa and Coffee Fiesta Lagos, Nigeria 2026, scheduled for October 7th and 8th, the Global President of COCEFAAA, Adeola Adegoke, said African cocoa farmers have demonstrated remarkable resilience despite years of unstable prices that have adversely affected income, productivity and sectoral growth. According to him, Africa remains the world’s leading cocoa-producing region, accounting for…

The Federal Government, through the Bank of Agriculture, has unveiled a series of interventions aimed at boosting food production and supporting more than 1.2 million farmers across the country during the current wet season. The Managing Director of BOA, Ayodele Sotinrin, disclosed this in a statement issued by the bank’s Team Lead, Corporate Communications Department, Ruth Didam. Sotinrin said the interventions formed part of President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural agenda to strengthen food security, improve farmers’ incomes, and expand financial inclusion. “The wide-ranging initiatives reflect the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting farmers whose labour ensures Nigerians do not go hungry”, Sotinrin said. He said…

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering women in the dairy sector, describing them as critical drivers of food security, household nutrition, rural livelihoods, and the growth of Nigeria’s dairy economy. Speaking at a press briefing to mark the commencement of activities for the 2026 World Milk Day celebration in Abuja, the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, said women remained central to milk production, preservation, storage, processing, and marketing across the country. Maiha noted that the ministry had earlier conducted a symbolic road walk in Abuja to create awareness on the importance of milk in nutrition, the…

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has disclosed that Nigeria has recorded significant progress in strengthening food security and boosting agricultural productivity over the past three years under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement forum on Agricultural and Food Systems Transformation, Kyari said key reforms and interventions implemented since the start of the administration, particularly over the last two years are beginning to yield measurable results across the sector. He stated that prices of essential food items have declined by as much as 50% in some parts of the country, reversing previous spikes in…

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Livestock Development, Idris Ajimobi has disclosed that his office, in collaboration with the Ministry of Livestock Development, has commenced the revival of grazing reserves and ranches across Nigeria so as to curb farmer-herder clashes. He disclosed this during an interactive session with journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, saying work had already started on the Kawu Grazing Reserve in Abuja, adding that a nationwide audit of existing ranches and the 417 grazing reserves is ongoing to determine those that can be upgraded before new ones are established. The SSA said, “It’s not just about…

Cassava farmers in Kebbi State of Nigeria have been warned to remain vigilant against the spread of the deadly cassava mosaic virus capable of devastating farms and threatening food security across thr country. The warning came during a sensitisation campaign, organised by the Central and West African Virus Epidemiology for Root and Tuber Crops in Tungar Noma community, Argungu Local Government Area, Kebbi State. The awareness programme is aimed at educating farmers on the dangers of cassava diseases, particularly the emerging East African Cassava Mosaic Disease, Uganda variant, which experts described as one of the most destructive cassava diseases in Africa. Speaking during…