FG Says Farmers Will Play Central Role in New Food Security Policy

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to making farmers key participants in shaping policies aimed at improving national food security. At a workshop in Kano focused on strengthening agricultural value chains, a senior government official highlighted that the current administration wants policies to be driven by the realities faced by farmers on the ground rather than top‑down directives.

Officials said the government’s agricultural strategy prioritises market‑oriented, farmer‑driven interventions and includes support for strategic crops such as rice, wheat, tomato, sesame, and sorghum, which are seen as vital for food security and economic growth.

The approach aims to address past challenges in agricultural programmes, such as fragmented spending and inefficient land administration, by encouraging private sector engagement, transparent trade practices, and targeted public investment.

Government representatives also outlined criteria for state participation in the initiative, including the adoption of digital farmer registries, reduction of informal levies, and stronger backing for agricultural cooperatives.

The workshop brought together stakeholders across the agricultural sector to discuss how best to sustain growth and reinforce value chains as part of broader efforts to boost food production and strengthen food security in Nigeria.