The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has called for stronger investments and partnerships to build resilient food systems capable of withstanding climate, environmental and security shocks across the Sahel.
Kyari made the call at a Heifer International and Mastercard Foundation side event during the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFSF) in Kigali, Rwanda, where he outlined Nigeria’s priorities for strengthening food and agricultural resilience.
The Minister said under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, food security is being treated as a macroeconomic, security and governance priority, with emphasis on increasing production and productivity, strengthening climate resilience and deepening regional integration.
He highlighted ongoing investments in restoring agricultural livelihoods, rehabilitating degraded landscapes, expanding dry-season farming and closing the mechanisation gap.
According to him, about 2,000 tractors and more than 9,000 implements and spare parts are being deployed under the National Agricultural Mechanisation Programme to improve farmers’ access to mechanisation services.
Kyari also commended Heifer International for its support in financing, training and digital systems for mechanisation service providers.
He stressed the urgency of building resilient food systems, noting that Nigeria’s population is projected to approach 400 million by 2050.
The Minister said agriculture must increasingly transition from subsistence to enterprise, while urging stronger regional cooperation through efficient food corridors, harmonised standards, market linkages, research and innovation.
“Resilience cannot stop at national borders,” Kyari said, emphasising the need for countries across the Sahel to work together to address food security challenges.
He maintained that sustained investment, innovation and regional partnerships would be critical to ensuring food security and strengthening the resilience of agricultural systems across Africa.
