Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting sustainable farming methods and ensuring the long-term viability of agricultural ecosystems.
The Minister who was represented by the Lagos State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Mrs Omolara Abimbola-Oguntuyi made this known at the Green Agric West Africa Expo 2025 held in Lagos.
The 3-day agro-expo which was held between Tuesday and Thursday themed ‘Green Agriculture: the path to food self-sufficiency in West Africa’ had in attendance farmers and stakeholders in the Agricultural value chain.
ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE : FG launches digital extension platform to enhance agric productivity
In his opening remarks, Kyari identified agriculture as the backbone of West Africa’s economies and key to sustainable development.
He added, “As we navigate the evolving challenges of climate change, population growth, and market demands, we must revolutionise the agricultural landscape through innovative technologies and sustainable practices.
“The government is committed to promoting sustainable farming methods which aim to protect biodiversity, conserve natural resources, and ensure the long-term viability of agricultural ecosystems and facilitating networking opportunities by creating valuable networking opportunities for businesses, investors, and entrepreneurs in the agricultural sector. Further, attention is being paid to the aspect of food security; emphasizing the need for sustainable agricultural practices and policies that ensure access to nutritious food for all.
“I would also like to emphasize that the private sector will remain in the lead as process drivers for the agricultural sector; while the government continues to facilitate as well as provide supporting Infrastructures, systems, control processes and oversight.
“As we move forward, I urge all stakeholders to join us at GAWA 2025 in creating a more sustainable, resilient, and prosperous agricultural sector in West Africa. Together, we can transform the agricultural landscape, ensuring food security, wealth and job creation, reducing poverty, and development of agricultural entrepreneurship thereby fostering economic growth for the benefit of both people and the planet.”
The keynote speaker, Prof. Lateef Sanni, who is the Executive Director, Nigeria Stock Product Research Institute, urged the government to prioritise and ensure the timely release of credit facilities at single digits interest rates to farmers.
He said, “The government needs to encourage the youths to go into farming. And for our youths to take up farming, they need credit facility, therefore, the government need to make available credit facility at a single digit interest rate to farmers.”
Speaking further on green agriculture, he said, “Essentially, Green Agriculture is purely technology-driven agriculture, an integrated pest management system and conservation agriculture.”
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Mr Abiodun Olaniyi, the host and Executive Director, Agriquest Africa Network Limited said the expo was designed to address the development of agriculture in West Africa.
He said, “We can see that there are lots of dynamics that have happened in agriculture in the past years and we are now taking it to the next level. People have to look at the sustainability of Agriculture and we can see the climate change coming up. We are also talking about regenerative agriculture in terms of our soil and the planting session. So it is a lot that we are using this expo to address technology that will put up our agricultural practices and future of agriculture in West Africa.”
and then