Experts advocate sustainable agriculture practice in Nigeria
FutuX Agri-Consult, a private agricultural extension service provider, has called on the stakeholders in the sector to push for sustainable agriculture practice in Nigeria.
Mr Babatunde Olarewaju, Lead Strategist, at FutuX Agri-consult Ltd., said this at the biannual Nigeria Sustainable Agriculture Conference (NSAC) on Thursday in Lagos.
Olarewaju, the Convener of NSAC, stressed the need for stakeholders in the sector to collaborate to ensure sustainable food security in the country.
Supreme news reports that NSAC is a premier multi-stakeholder platform dedicated to advancing the future of agriculture in Nigeria.
Since its inaugural edition in 2023, NSAC has served as a critical space for government representatives, private sector leaders, food producers, agri-investors, development partners, and sustainability advocates to discuss solutions that enhance the resilience, productivity, and profitability of Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.
Olarewaju in his welcome address noted that Nigeria must bridge the gaps in the agriculture space for economic growth and development.
He spoke on the theme: “Sustaining Ecology for Food: The Role of Food Producers, Agri-investors and Policy Makers.”
“This theme is not just timely; it is the very bedrock of our nation’s enduring prosperity.
“Nigeria, a nation blessed with vast agricultural potential faces a stark reality. Our population is projected to reach over 400 million by 2050, demanding a staggering increase in food production. Yet, our ecological foundation is under immense pressure.
“Despite our potential, Nigeria still spends billions annually on food imports underscoring a critical gap in our domestic capacity and resilience.
“The production capacity is not merely an economic challenge: it is a human issue. Our smallholder farmers, the custodians of our land and the backbone of our food system, bear the brunt of these ecological shocks,” Olarewaju said.
He noted that their resilience which passed down through generations was being stretched to its limit.
“But in this challenge lies our greatest opportunity.
“Imagine a Nigeria where our farms are not merely for producing food, but vibrant ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity, clean water, and healthy soil.
“Imagine a future where our food systems are not just secure, but naturally regenerative, a legacy we would proudly pass to the next generation.
“This future is within our grasp, and it demands the collective ingenuity and unwavering commitment of every one of us gathered here.
“So, we must continue to embrace innovation. From precision agriculture to responsible input use, ensuring our farming methods and practices align with nature and not against it,” he said.
The expert said that government policies must align with the current realities being faced by local farmers in the sector.
“For too long, policy has sometimes lagged behind the urgent ecological realities our farmers face daily. Our on-the-ground experience in guiding farms to sustainable food production and implementing various food safety systems gives us a unique vantage point.
“We see where the current frameworks shine, and critically, where they inadvertently create bottlenecks for sustainable practices.
“Therefore. We need to build a resilient and enabling policy environment that actively promotes ecological stewardship for sustained food production.
“This conference is beyond sharing knowledge: it is a call to collaborative action, let us leave with concrete pledges as food producer adopting a new regenerative practice.
“That is the key message is that these efforts are not just about today’s harvest; they are about cultivating a generation of environmentally conscious farmers, attracting sustained green investment, and shaping a policy landscape that guarantees food security and ecological health for a millennium,” the expert said.
On his part, the Minister of Agriculture, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, represented by Mr Iwara Edet, Director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), commended the group for its intervention in the agriculture space.
Kyari assured the Federal Government’s continuous support to the sector.
He also disclosed the review of Nigerian agricultural laws are being revised as he asked participants to share their contributions to the Ministry’s correspondences.
“This role of food producers, agri-investors and policy makers resonates deeply with the Federal Minister of Agriculture and Food Security’s recent interventions in Nigeria.
“As we gather here today, we are faced with a pressing challenge ensuring food security for Nigeria’s growing population, while preserving the ecological while preserving the ecological integrity of our environment.
“Food producers must be supported with the knowledge tools and technologies to implement sustainable farming practices.
“So, I want to appreciate the organisers of the conference and also appeal to all the participants, especially those that fall within the youth bracket to venture into agriculture,” he said.
Kyari called for food producers, agri-investors, policy makers and other stakeholders collaboration and partnership to drive the sector.
“For collaboration and partnerships, we must work together, food producers, agri-investors, policy makers and other stakeholders must drive sustainable agriculture forward by sharing knowledge, resources and expertise.
“The ministry is in the process of reviewing all agricultural laws in the country, so, I want to call on the participants of this conference today, that if there is any area you know or things that should be reviewed they should write to us.
“Please write formally to the permanent secretary of FMAFS and it will be addressed. It is a collaborative effort, if we work together, we will achieve our aim which is attaining food security and food sovereignty,” he said.
