Lafia: Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa has inaugurated the State Council on Agriculture, focusing on the effective implementation of the state’s agriculture policy and investment plan to enhance food production and strengthen food security. He also launched the Nasarawa State Agriculture and Food System Policy and the State Agriculture Investment Plan (SAIP), along with unveiling the State Agriculture Intelligence Dashboard.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the initiatives aim to institutionalize ongoing reforms in the agricultural sector and ensure their sustainability beyond Sule’s administration. The governor emphasized the critical importance of implementation, noting that policies often fail due to inadequate execution. He highlighted the state’s commitment through its partnership with the Alliance for Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), which provided $370,000 to support the agricultural transformation initiative.
Representing the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, Mr. Olawunmi Ayodele stated that Nasarawa has over 2.4 million hectares of arable land, with agriculture contributing more than 40 percent of the state’s Gross State Product. Despite this, only a small portion of the land is irrigated, and post-harvest losses are significant. The council aims to address these challenges by providing coordination and oversight, with the Agriculture and Food System Policy setting the direction and the SAIP providing the investment framework.
Kyari mentioned that the SAIP requires an estimated N808.3 billion from 2026 to 2030, with funding expected from state financial allocations, development partners, and federal programs. He emphasized the need to translate the investment requirement into an investable pipeline with clear project owners and measurable outcomes.
Dr. Rufus Idris, AGRA’s Country Director, stated that the policy and investment plan would attract and mobilize additional resources into Nasarawa’s agricultural sector. Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi of NASIDA highlighted the goal of transforming the state into a hub for agricultural transformation and agribusiness. Mr. Kenneth Ode from AGRANigeria emphasized the initiative’s role in strengthening institutional capacity and addressing gaps in agricultural transformation.
Mr. Mohammed Eimoga, Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to implementing the frameworks to increase productivity, improve food security, and attract investment in Nasarawa. He commended Gov. Sule and AGRA for their support in laying the foundations for agricultural transformation in the state.