Produce acceptable agric produce to compete internationally, Minister tells Nigerians

The Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has said that the way out for Nigeria to grow its foreign reserves is by exporting agricultural produce that meets an acceptable international standard, urging that the country should invest heavily in the agricultural sector.

Kyari made the call at the First Bank 2025 Agric and Export Expo, held at Eko Hotels on Tuesday, saying if Nigeria was determined to grow a non-oil export economy, the agricultural sector remained the major area to invest in.

The minister, who was represented by Ibrahim Aikali, explained that, for the sector to succeed, there was a need to build infrastructure, noting that infrastructure is not just about roads and ports, but also about building efficiency into every step of the supply chain.

“Infrastructure is not just about roads and ports, but it is about building efficiency into every step of the supply chain.

“Volumes are important, but volumes without quality will tell. Every tonne of cocoa must be of an internationally accepted standard, certified and traceable, with stronger laboratories, a functional certification system and farmer training.

“We can ensure that our exports consistently meet global requirements and avoid costly rejection at the destination market, if we want to build a non-oil export economy, storage, ports, and certification system are not rhetoric, they are fundamental,” Kyari said.

The minister stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his roadmap agenda, provided the country with a roadmap for economic reform, agriculture and food security, energy and natural resources, infrastructure and transportation, among others, even as he noted that the nation’s currency “is only as strong as our export, backup.”

He maintained that export earnings are what build reserves, reduce inflationary failure and stabilise the exchange rate.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his goodwill message, stressed that Nigeria needed to urgently broaden its economy by moving away from dependence on oil export, and embrace the agriculture sector as an export to generate revenue.

Sanwo-Olu commended President Tinubu for the effort he had taken so far in improving the exportation of agricultural produce, but admitted that what was exported in the agricultural sector was still far below expectations.

He assured that his administration was committed to promoting the agriculture sector by providing roads that lead to the market for farmers and providing digital platforms to ease the trade process and also build partnerships.

Also speaking at the event, Governor Umar Bago of Niger State said his state was excited by President Tinubu’s initiative in improving the agriculture sector.

He also promised to support the Lagos State government’s initiative to improve the agriculture sector by providing the state with 100,000 acres of land for farming.

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