By Stella Odueme
The Federal Government has unveiled a comprehensive mix of short-, medium- and long-term agricultural policies aimed at stabilising food prices, boosting local production and restoring public confidence in Nigeria’s food system.
The initiative was highlighted during a Ministerial Policy Dialogue at the Nigeria Public Relations Week in Kaduna, themed “Nigeria’s Food Security: From Policy Paper to Public Plates; The Imperatives of Public Relations.”
Representing the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Executive Secretary of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Mohammed Ibrahim, said the government’s current strategy focuses on market correction to address food inflation and supply constraints.
He explained that targeted interventions, including the reduction of import tariffs on key agricultural inputs and commodities, have helped ease price pressures.
“Food prices this time last year were astronomically high, but some of the direct policies we introduced, especially around import tariff reductions, have helped stabilise the situation,” Ibrahim said.
He noted that alongside short-term relief measures, the government is prioritising policies that support domestic production, particularly through farm input support and agro-processing initiatives.
“We are providing subsidised inputs to processors with backward integration models. Strengthening both the farm and the factory is critical to ensuring agricultural policies succeed,” he added.
Ibrahim disclosed that food inflation has dropped to about 14 per cent, down from 25 per cent recorded during the same period last year, although challenges such as high input costs persist.
To address these, he said the government is advancing reforms to liberalise mechanisation, improve access to inputs and provide targeted support across key agricultural value chains.
“These interventions are beginning to yield results, and we expect inflation to continue on a downward trajectory,” he said.
He emphasised that food security now extends beyond production to include effective communication, policy coordination and public engagement.
“Clear communication, shaping narratives and influencing policy are equally important in building trust and ensuring impact,” Ibrahim stated.
Highlighting the role of NADF, Ibrahim said the Fund is central to financing, policy implementation and institutional support across agriculture, covering crops, livestock, fisheries and agro-forestry.
According to him, NADF has supported thousands of farmers nationwide through various initiatives.
Its Ginger Recovery, Advancement and Transformation for Economy Empowerment (GRATE) programme has benefited over 5,000 farmers in Kaduna, Plateau and the Federal Capital Territory.
Similarly, the Farm Input Support Programme (FISP) has reached in 50,000 smallholder farmers across the six geopolitical zones, offering up to 75 per cent subsidy on seeds, fertilisers and crop protection products.
The Fund has also provided emergency assistance to more than 2,000 onion farmers affected by crises in Sokoto, Yobe, Borno and Kebbi states.
Looking ahead to the 2026 wet season, NADF plans to scale up its fertiliser distribution under the Renewed Hope Fertilizer Support Programme, targeting 127,000 farmers across 25 states and the FCT.
In terms of financing, Ibrahim revealed that NADF has mobilised billions of naira through partnerships with state governments and financial institutions to support large-scale agricultural projects.
These include a N1.14 billion investment in ginger production in Kaduna State and a N5 billion co-financing arrangement with the Niger State Government for rice and maize cultivation, alongside multiple on-lending facilities to banks supporting fertiliser production, rice processing and cassava value chains.
He added that the Fund’s blended finance model has attracted private sector investment, reduced borrowing costs for agribusinesses and expanded access to credit. A partnership involving Psaltry International, IDH and a foundation has also empowered 15,000 young women in cassava cultivation in Oyo State.
At the sub-national level, NADF is working with states including Cross River, Jigawa and Katsina to develop risk-sharing mechanisms aimed at improving access to agricultural financing.
Ibrahim reiterated that the government’s overarching goal is to achieve food sovereignty and long-term food security.
“As we continue to implement these programmes, our goal is clear—to ensure that Nigeria can feed itself sustainably while creating economict opportunities across the agricultural value chain,” he said.
Stakeholders at the dialogue agreed that while progress has been made in reducing food inflation, sustained investment, policy consistency and effective communication will be crucial to consolidating gains and building public trust in the sector.
