THE Federal Government has renewed its drive to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector by strengthening market systems that connect smallholder farmers to profitable value chains and attract greater private sector investment.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this in Abuja during a courtesy visit by a delegation from Heifer International led by its President and Chief Executive Officer, Surita Sandosham.
Kyari said the development of efficient market systems remains critical to repositioning Nigeria’s agriculture from subsistence production to a competitive and sustainable agribusiness sector capable of delivering improved incomes for farmers and strengthening the wider agricultural ecosystem.
He explained that stronger market linkages would enable farmers to access higher-value markets while stimulating private investment in agricultural services, ultimately reducing dependence on donor support and fostering resilient rural economies.
The minister also emphasised the growing role of technology in improving price transparency and expanding market access for farmers. According to him, digital platforms and improved market information systems would empower producers to negotiate better prices and minimise exploitation by middlemen.
Kyari highlighted emerging agribusiness innovators such as Extension Africa, Pullus Africa, Nimsy Agro, Vet Konnect and Thrive Agric as examples of enterprises helping to expand farmer services and strengthen agricultural value chains through technology-driven solutions.
He further acknowledged the longstanding partnership between Nigeria and Heifer International, describing the organisation as a key contributor to rural development and agricultural transformation across the country.
A major component of the collaboration, the minister noted, is a mechanisation support initiative involving the Bank of Agriculture. Under the initiative, digital tracking technology is being deployed to monitor tractor usage, maintenance and servicing schedules in order to ensure accountability and prolong the lifespan of mechanisation equipment.
Kyari said the platform, which combines technology with institutional support, represents a practical model for advancing Nigeria’s mechanisation agenda while strengthening agricultural service delivery.
In her remarks, Sandosham said Heifer International is aligning its programmes with Nigeria’s agricultural priorities, including a long-term target of helping two million Nigerian households achieve sustainable living incomes by 2030.
She noted that the organisation is integrating geo-referencing and advanced data mapping into its interventions to ensure that support such as subsidised inputs and extension services reaches verified farmers directly on their farmlands with transparency and efficiency.
Also, the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development has partnered with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on a set of concrete actions to strengthen animal health systems, control livestock diseases, and accelerate the transformation of Nigeria’s livestock sector following the approval of an emergency Technical Cooperation Programme valued at $350,000.
This agreement was reached following the strategic meeting on Wednesday between the Honourable Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Mukhtar Maiha, and the FAO Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Dr. Hussein Gadain, alongside senior officials of the Ministry and FAO in Abuja.
The partnership was disclosed in a statement signed by Oghenekevwe Uchechukwu, Head of Press and Public Relations of the ministry, made available to Agronigeria.
According to the statement, the Minister while speaking at the meeting, emphasised that effective disease control remains central to improving livestock productivity and safeguarding the livelihoods of farmers across the country.
He noted that factors such as drought, feed scarcity, wildlife interaction, and cross-border livestock movement have contributed to the spread of animal diseases in some areas.
“We must continue to strengthen our animal health systems and build the capacity required to respond effectively to disease outbreaks. Our collaboration with FAO will help protect livestock assets, improve productivity, and support the broader transformation of the sector,” the Minister said.
As part of the collaboration, FAO announced the approval of an emergency Technical Cooperation Programme valued at $350,000 to support Nigeria’s response to the ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
The intervention will support disease containment efforts in 11 affected states, while strengthening surveillance, coordination, and response mechanisms to prevent further spread.
Dr. Gadain commended the Federal Government’s commitment to developing the livestock sector and reiterated FAO’s readiness to continue providing technical support. He stressed the importance of strengthening veterinary services at the state and community levels, improving early disease detection, and promoting biosecurity practices among livestock farmers.
The meeting also reviewed progress on the global campaign to eradicate Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious disease affecting sheep and goats. To advance the initiative, the Ministry will convene a national technical meeting involving veterinary institutions, researchers, and practitioners to review Nigeria’s PPR eradication strategy and address gaps in vaccine supply.
In preparation for this effort, the Ministry will engage the National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) to assess its vaccine production capacity while exploring complementary options for vaccine procurement to meet national demand.
Both parties also agreed to accelerate Nigeria’s access to financing under the Pandemic Fund through the One Health approach, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), to strengthen preparedness and response to zoonotic diseases.
Plans are also underway for the FAO Director-General to participate in the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Conference scheduled for June 2026 in Abuja, during which President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to be recognised as the African Champion for PPR Eradication.
The meeting further agreed to inaugurate a Livestock Donor Working Group to coordinate development partner support and advance key initiatives, including the development of a national feed and fodder strategy to enhance productivity and sustainability in Nigeria’s livestock sector.