FAO Outlines Pathways For Nigeria’s Agric Sector Rebound

Nigeria’s agriculture sector can regain its role as a driver of economic growth and stability if targeted reforms are pursued across productivity, financing and value chains, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations has said.

Speaking at an economic discourse in Lagos, FAO Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Hussein Gadain, framed the sector’s recovery as both an economic necessity and a strategic imperative for national stability. He said food security remains central to Nigeria’s development outlook but warned that fragile food systems continue to amplify inflation, deepen poverty and heighten social vulnerabilities.

He noted that shocks from climate change, insecurity in farming communities and rising production costs have constrained output even as demand continues to rise with population growth.

Despite these challenges, the FAO said Nigeria retains strong fundamentals for agricultural expansion. The country’s vast agricultural land, diverse agroecological zones and large domestic market position it for inclusive growth. Agriculture contributes about 23 per cent to gross domestic product and supports the livelihoods of more than 70 per cent of the population largely through smallholder farming systems.

However structural inefficiencies continue to limit competitiveness. Nigeria’s agricultural imports outpace exports reflecting gaps in local production and value addition. Gadain pointed to the need for investments that strengthen domestic capacity particularly in staple crops and high value export commodities while reducing dependence on imports such as wheat.

He identified key reform priorities including scaling climate smart agriculture, strengthening value chains, expanding rural finance, improving trade competitiveness and addressing insecurity in farming communities. Improving access to inputs mechanisation and extension services will be critical to raising productivity especially among smallholder farmers.

The FAO also emphasised reducing post-harvest losses through better storage processing and logistics while expanding access to finance and insurance to de risk investments. Unlocking export potential in commodities such as cocoa cashew and cassava could boost foreign exchange earnings and improve the balance of trade.

Gadain further highlighted the need for coordinated governance reliable data systems and stronger partnerships among government private sector and development partners. He stressed that food security goes beyond agriculture and remains a pillar of national security macroeconomic stability and social cohesion.

According to him Nigeria’s agricultural rebound depends on sustainable productivity access to finance and market led growth supported by evidence based policies and effective coordination.