The Federal Government has unveiled a new agrifood investment plan aimed at promoting climate-smart farming, increasing food production, and creating jobs for farmers, Agriculture and Food Security Minister Abubakar Kyari said on Sunday.

In a statement, Kyari outlined that the initiative is designed to support sustainable agricultural practices, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthen Nigeria’s food systems in line with national and international climate commitments.

“The National Agrifood Systems Investment Plan aims to enhance agricultural investments, boost agrifood production, create jobs, alleviate poverty, and make healthy diets more affordable,” the minister said. “At the same time, it seeks to lower greenhouse gas emissions from agrifood production and promote reforestation.”

Kyari recalled that the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, formerly the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, began a partnership in 2022 with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations through the Monitoring and Analysing Food and Agricultural Policies Programme.

He said the collaboration had informed policy decisions and strengthened Nigeria’s agricultural planning.

According to Kyari, the plan prioritises scaling climate-smart agriculture for crops and horticulture, restoring degraded lands through sustainable practices, promoting regenerative agriculture and agroecology, and empowering smallholder farmers, with a particular focus on women and youth.

“Building on these priorities, Nigeria has advanced its National Adaptation Plan, which integrates adaptation strategies into agriculture, water, health, and infrastructure, with strong emphasis on community-led solutions and ecosystem-based approaches,” Kyari said.

 

The minister also noted that Nigeria is positioning itself under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to establish policies and market mechanisms for carbon trading and results-based financing.

“By leveraging carbon credits from climate-smart agriculture, afforestation, and ecosystem restoration, Nigeria aims to attract additional investment while supporting smallholder farmers,” he added.

Kyari highlighted existing development projects to support the sector, including the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zone programme, the Value Chain Development Programme, the Livelihood Improvement Family Enterprise in the Niger Delta, the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project, and the National Agricultural Growth Scheme – Agro Pockets.

He called on stakeholders and international financial institutions, including FAO, IFAD, and the Global Environment Facility, to scale up financial support, share risks, and implement programmes that reach smallholder farmers and rural communities.

“Such collaboration is vital as we work collectively to transform food systems for sustainability, resilience, and inclusiveness,” he said.

The minister emphasised the importance of additional funding for climate-resilient crops and sustainable practices to address the challenges posed by climate change and ensure national food security.

 

Nigeria’s agriculture sector remains the country’s largest employer, providing livelihoods for more than 35 per cent of the population and contributing approximately 23 per cent of GDP. Despite its size, the sector faces persistent challenges, including low yields, limited access to credit, high post-harvest losses, and vulnerability to climate change, prompting government efforts to modernise through mechanisation, irrigation, and improved seed varieties.

 

Kyari said the new investment plan seeks to align Nigeria’s agricultural development with global initiatives such as the Paris Agreement, the UN Food Systems Summit, and COP28, ensuring that national food production systems contribute to broader climate objectives