Nigeria Seeks Global Investment In Youth, Women Farmers

The federal government has called for stronger international investment in young entrepreneurs and women farmers as the 49th session of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) governing council meeting holds in Rome, Italy.

The biennial meeting themed; “From Farm to Market: Investing in Young Entrepreneurs,” convened ministers, development partners and agricultural stakeholders to examine strategies for job creation, food security and rural transformation.

Minister of agriculture and food security, Abubakar Kyari, who was elected chairperson of the governing council at the opening session, said empowering young agripreneurs and female farmers remained critical to building sustainable food systems.

According to him, Nigeria’s stewardship at IFAD aligned with  efforts to boost productivity, enhance climate resilience and expand economic opportunities for the country’s growing youth population.

A statement from the ministry’s head of information department, Ezeaja Ikemefuna, said delegates acknowledged the contribution of women farmers to food systems and called for urgent investment in irrigation and adaptive infrastructure to address climate-related shocks.

Kyari commended IFAD’s Nigeria country office led by the country-director Dede Ekoue, for translating global commitments into measurable gains for rural communities through programmes that strengthen value chains and build resilience among smallholder farmers.

As the council closed, Kyari reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multilateral cooperation in tackling hunger and poverty, pledging to remain an active voice in advancing sustainable agricultural development on the global stage.

“I express my profound appreciation to Member States for the confidence reposed in me and reaffirm my commitment to serve with humility, diligence and an unwavering focus on rural women and men worldwide,” Kyari said.

“Our emphasis on youth and women in agriculture is aimed at unlocking economic opportunities, driving innovation and fostering inclusive growth that will strengthen food systems and reduce hunger and poverty across the globe.

“The clear mandate of President Bola Tinubu places food security at the centre of our national priorities, and our stewardship at IFAD aligns with that charge to expand opportunities for youth and women while building resilient systems.

“We remain resolute in championing multilateral cooperation to confront hunger and poverty, demonstrating that Nigeria will continue to play a responsible and forward-looking role on the global stage,” he said.