FG Validates 10-Year Agrifood Strategy

By Ayo Susan

The Federal Government has commenced validation of Nigeria’s National Agrifood System Strategy and Action Plan, a 10-year framework designed to align agricultural investments with the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration (2026–2035).

The validation meeting held in Abuja brought together federal and state government officials, development partners, farmers and private sector stakeholders. Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the strategy is intended to coordinate agricultural spending, improve accountability and support sustainable food system transformation.

DECISION HIGHLIGHT

The strategy introduces a coordinated national framework for agricultural planning, replacing fragmented interventions with a structured approach linked to investment priorities, climate resilience and food security objectives.

Its implementation framework places emphasis on budget alignment, blended financing, agricultural insurance, affordable credit and improved market access.

DECISION MEMO

Nigeria’s agricultural sector has historically faced challenges from inconsistent policy direction, limited financing, climate risks and weak connections between production and markets. The National Agrifood System Strategy seeks to address these structural constraints by creating a longer-term roadmap that connects government spending with measurable agricultural outcomes.

The framework builds on previous continental commitments under the Maputo and Malabo Declarations while aligning with the CAADP Kampala Declaration, Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Sen. Kyari said ministries, departments and agencies, as well as state governments, must align annual budgets with the strategy to reduce duplication and ensure resources are directed towards common agricultural priorities.

Beyond production expansion, the strategy focuses on resilience measures including climate adaptation, disaster risk management, reduction of post-harvest losses and support for vulnerable farmers. These areas are critical as food producers continue to face rising operational costs, weather-related disruptions and market instability.

Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, noted that successful implementation would depend on financing, monitoring systems, political commitment and collaboration among government, investors, farmers and development organisations.

The strategy provides a policy framework, but its economic impact will depend on execution capacity, particularly at state and local government levels where agricultural activities are concentrated.

DATA BOX

• Strategy duration: 10 years
• Framework alignment: CAADP Kampala Declaration (2026–2035)
• Lead institution: Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security
• Location of validation: Abuja
• Key focus areas:

Food security

Climate-resilient agriculture

Agricultural financing

Insurance support

Market development

Post-harvest loss reduction

Policy foundations:

• Maputo Declaration
• Malabo Declaration
• African Union Agenda 2063
• Sustainable Development Goals

WHO WINS / WHO LOSES

Winners:
Farmers, particularly vulnerable groups, women and young people, could benefit from improved access to financing, insurance, coordinated support programmes and market opportunities.

Private investors may also gain greater visibility into government agricultural priorities and investment pathways.

Potentially affected:
Institutions and programmes operating outside coordinated planning frameworks may face reduced relevance as government moves towards a unified agricultural investment model.

POLICY SIGNALS

The strategy signals a move towards long-term agricultural governance rather than short-term intervention-based programmes.

It indicates stronger emphasis on coordinated budgeting, measurable outcomes and partnership-driven agricultural development involving government, private capital and development institutions.

INVESTOR SIGNAL

The framework could improve investor confidence by providing clearer policy direction for agriculture, food processing, logistics and agribusiness financing.

For investors, the critical factor will be whether the strategy translates into predictable implementation, improved infrastructure and stronger incentives for private sector participation.

RISK RADAR

Key risks include inadequate funding, weak coordination between federal and state governments, limited monitoring capacity and implementation gaps.

The strategy’s success will depend on sustained political commitment, transparent resource allocation and the ability to convert policy objectives into measurable improvements across Nigeria’s agrifood value chain.