The World Agriculture Forum (WAF), Nigeria, has called for increased investment in agricultural technology, modern storage facilities and efficient food supply chains to reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen food security across the country.
The Country Director of WAF Nigeria, Alexander Isong, made the call in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday, 15th of October 2026 to mark the 2026 World Food Day, observed annually on October 16.
This year’s celebration is themed “Building Resilient Food Systems for a Food-Secure Nigeria.”
Isong said Nigeria had the agricultural land, workforce and market opportunities to become a major player in African agriculture, but stressed that achieving this potential required coordinated efforts and strategic investments across the sector.
He urged the country to shift from an approach focused primarily on farm production towards an integrated, commercially viable and technology-driven food system linking production with storage, processing, distribution and markets.
According to him, boosting agricultural productivity would require access to quality inputs, mechanisation, irrigation, climate-smart farming practices, extension services and affordable financing.
He identified inadequate storage and transportation infrastructure as major challenges, advocating investment in pre-cooling systems, refrigerated transport, cold rooms and modern preservation facilities to minimise post-harvest losses.
Isong said such investments would preserve the quality of agricultural produce, extend shelf life and ensure more food reached consumers.
He also called for stronger linkages among farmers, processors, retailers, institutional buyers and export markets through structured trading arrangements, transparent market systems and effective quality assurance.
On agricultural financing, the WAF director urged stakeholders to mobilise private capital for commercially viable projects and maximise existing funding mechanisms to lower investment barriers without placing excessive pressure on public finances.
He further highlighted the potential of digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, precision farming, blockchain-enabled traceability, renewable energy and modern food-testing technologies to improve efficiency and strengthen the competitiveness of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Isong called for greater participation of women and young people in agriculture, noting that their empowerment could make the sector more attractive, profitable and responsive to technological advancements.
He added that sustainable farming practices, responsible management of land and water resources, efficient energy use and climate adaptation measures were essential to building resilient food systems capable of withstanding environmental and economic shocks.
The country director stressed the need for stronger collaboration among federal and state governments, farmers’ organisations, financial institutions, technology providers, development agencies and private-sector operators to achieve lasting improvements.
He said WAF Nigeria, through its Country Council, was committed to facilitating dialogue, coordinating stakeholders, promoting practical agricultural solutions and advancing investment opportunities that would deliver measurable benefits to farmers, businesses and consumers.
Isong urged stakeholders to move beyond declarations of commitment and prioritise practical projects supported by measurable targets and sustainable investments.
He maintained that achieving food security in Nigeria would depend on political will, innovation, effective implementation and partnerships capable of expanding successful agricultural interventions.
