FG Reassures Farmers of Continued Support to Boost Food Security

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Nigerian farmers, assuring them that it will continue to provide the necessary resources, policies, and security measures needed to increase food production and guarantee national food security.

The assurance was given on Tuesday by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, during a high-level meeting with farmers’ associations and agricultural stakeholders in Abuja. The minister said the government is fully aware of the challenges facing farmers, including insecurity, high cost of inputs, and climate-related disruptions, and is working to address them.

Kyari noted that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has introduced several interventions aimed at easing the burden on farmers and improving agricultural output across the country. These include the distribution of subsidised fertilisers, improved seeds, and the expansion of the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme to reach more smallholder farmers.

“The Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that our farmers have all the support they need to produce enough food for the country,” the minister said. “We understand the difficulties they face, and we are not relenting in our efforts to make agriculture more profitable and sustainable.”

One of the major issues raised during the meeting was the continued threat of banditry and kidnapping in many farming communities, particularly in the North-West and North-Central regions. The minister assured farmers that the government is working closely with security agencies to protect farmlands and ensure farmers can access their fields without fear.

He said special security arrangements have been put in place in some of the most affected states, while efforts are also being made to engage community leaders and local vigilantes in protecting agricultural activities.

While welcoming the government’s reassurance, some farmers’ groups at the meeting expressed concern that many of the announced interventions have not fully reached the grassroots. They called for improved coordination between the Federal Government and state authorities to ensure that inputs and support reach the intended beneficiaries on time.

The President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Arc. Kabir Ibrahim, urged the government to accelerate the release of funds for agricultural programmes and to provide more long-term support for farmers, rather than short-term interventions.

“We appreciate the government’s efforts, but we need more consistent and timely support,” Ibrahim said. “Many farmers are still struggling with the high cost of fertiliser, seeds, and other inputs. We hope this renewed commitment will translate into visible improvements on the farms.”

The meeting also touched on the government’s broader strategy to achieve food self-sufficiency, including the promotion of large-scale farming, investment in irrigation infrastructure, and the expansion of agricultural value chains. The minister said the government is also working to attract more private sector investment into agriculture through favourable policies and incentives.

As Nigeria continues to battle high food inflation and rising living costs, the Federal Government’s renewed engagement with farmers is seen as a critical step toward stabilising the agricultural sector and ensuring sustainable food production in the months ahead.