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The National Council on Agriculture and Food Security meeting just concluded in Kaduna last Friday has approved the development of grape and other memos towards food security in the upcoming year.
The meeting held in Kaduna was chaired by the Agric and Food security Minister, Sen. Abubarka.
Memo presented on grape for national development was approved by the council to enhance its production for local consumption and export.
The President of Grape Association of Nigeria, Danlatu Danlami said that the right investment and government support into this produce would make Nigeria self sufficient adding that the nation's unique climate allowed two times harvest of the produce in a year.
Mr. Danlatu Danlami is optimistic that " If more attention is given to this sector through capacity building and investment, we can end the importation of grape into Nigeria and make the country a hub for grape cultivation in Africa"
Council approved the following as well:
i. The implementation of the readiness assessment report of the Nigerian Farmers’ Soil Health Scheme for the development, take-off and up-scaling of the initiatives.
ii. The establishment of Small-Scale Agro-Processing Industries for Cocoa, Cassava, Tomato, Rice and Legumes/Cereals (Grains) across agro-processing zones in the 36 States and FCT to address post-harvest losse.
iii. The profiling of Micro, Small and Medium agriculture and agribusiness enterprises across the six geopolitical zones for ownership, inclusiveness, and effective analysis.
iv. The adoption of the implementation plan for the promotion of System of Rice Intensification (SRI) to reduce green-house gas emissions, improve soil health, and utilize less production inputs.
v. The production and commercialization of Melon (Egusi), Cabbage, Garlic, Carrot, Okra, Pawpaw, Tropica Apple, Water melon, Grape and Iceberg lettuce for Local Utilization and Export in collaboration with development partners such as HortiNigeria and in alignment with the government’s broader economic diversification agenda with funding from States and Federal Governments.
vi. The promotion of safe and sustainable ripening techniques as an alternative to carbide in horticultural crops in Nigeria to address the food safety concerns posed by unwholesome chemical ripening of fruits practices in the country.
vii. The Establishment of a National Programme for Tuta Absoluta Control to strengthen national food systems and enhance agricultural resilience.
viii. The establishment of a National Technical Committee on Plant Health and Pest Control (NTC-PHPC) to provide a coordinated, multidisciplinary platform for technical guidance, policy formulation, surveillance, and emergency response.
ix. Programmes on mitigation of health and environmental risks associated with hazardous agricultural pesticides use to address the growing hazards resulting from their indiscriminate use in Nigeria.
x. The establishment of a national framework for pluralist extension coordination, harmonization and stabilization of Nigeria’s extension service delivery system.
xi. The adoption and implementation of the Revised National Gender Policy on Agric food Systems Transformation, its Strategic Plan of Action and National Youth Manifesto in Agriculture (2025‑2030) to promote inclusiveness.
xii. The institutionalization of a Consolidated Biannual Publication on Development Partners’ Agricultural Programmes and Projects, to be coordinated by the Federal Department of Development Partners Projects (FD-DPP).
Council further approved:
xiii. The promotion and operationalization of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Reform Act (NIIRA ,2025) to capitalize National Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) and strengthen its financial base for sustainability in line with NIIRA 2025 and urged States and Federal Government to patronize NAIC as regards public assets Insurance service.
xiv. The empowerment of agricultural graduates for a dignified and fulfilling careers through the professionalization of agriculture, modernizing educational curricula, strengthening practical training, and institutionalizing professional standards throughout the sector.
xv. The establishment of policy framework for Climate-Smart Greenhouse Farming to mitigate the impact of climate change on food production In Nigeria and pilot its implementation in selected states.
xvi. the deployment of Policy and Investment Prioritization through Value Chain Analysis (PPVC) as an instrument for prioritizing investments in agricultural value chains in Nigeria and to facilitate inclusive transformation using a market-led approach.
xvii. The inauguration of the Adhoc Implementation Monitoring Committee of the NCAFS to monitor, follow up, and report on the implementation status of all approved memos and decisions of Council, ensuring accountability, transparency, and improved policy delivery at both federal and state levels.
Also the council noted the following:
xviii. The production, distribution and sales of adulterated/fake fertilizer and other agro-chemicals as well as the attendant high cost of farm Inputs.
xix. The need for Strengthening National Food Security Through Scaling of IAR’S Improved Crop Varieties and Climate-Smart Technologies Through Collaboration Between Research Institutes, Federal and State Agricultural Institutions.
xx. The policy implication of a Food Sovereignty and Food Security Initiative in an Era of Renewed Hope and the need conceptualize the Way Forward for Nigeria.
xxi. The establishment of Oyo State Agribusiness Development Agency for Enhancement of Food Security, Promotion of Agribusiness Investments and Job Creation and its positive impact on the sector.
xxii. The need to strengthen the Fertilizer Market Intelligence and Policy Decisions frame-work.
xxiii. The need for allocation of increasing funding to expand community-based irrigation projects to enhance water access for small-scale farmers agricultural productivity and strengthening food security across rural communities in Nigeria.
xxiv. The need to strengthen national food security by scaling improved crop varieties and Climate-Smart Technologies through collaboration between research institutes, Federal and State agricultural institutions.
xxv. The adoption of Nigerian Youth in Agritech & Innovation Programme (NYATIP) as a joint Federal-State youth agriculture initiative, to ensure inclusive policy design through active engagement with youth organizations such as YoFiN and others.
xxvi. The need for the conduct of mid-term review on the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) 2022-2027 and a plan of action for the development of the revised policy in alignment with Nigeria’s commitments to Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Kampala Declaration.
xxvii. The need to review Registration, Re-Certification and Digitalization of Cooperatives in Nigeria.
xxviii. The need for a Legislated Agricultural Extension Services for Support the Enactment of the Agriculture Extension Services Revitalisation Bill into an Act of the National Assembly.
xxix. The need to put in place information Climate Smart Agriculture for Food Security to encourage more of agricultural entrepreneur to adopt soilless technology considering its advantages over the practice of open field cultivation.
xxx. The need to promote the success of the Model Farm Centers, Digital Soil Testing, and the 50% Subsidized Tractorization Programme of Oyo State as Strategic Tools for Sustainable Agricultural Development and Food Security.
xxxi. The need to promote the sustainability of the structure and achievements of the Fadama Series In Nigeria and institutionalize the structure at the Federal and State levels as a platform for supporting smallholder farmers and food security interventions.
xxxii. The need to promote the National Soybean Production Policy and Expansion Strategy for the full implementation.
xxxiii. The Need To Resuscitate The Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) Programme of FMAFS for the resuscitation of the Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) Programme and its Committee as a vital mechanism to protect farmers, stabilize food prices, and strengthen national food security.
xxxiv. The need for all stakeholders to collaborate with NADF to provide sustainable financing mechanisms to boost agricultural development and food security across Nigeria.
xxxv. The establishment of a comprehensive Food and Nutrition Security Early Warning System (FNS-EWS) in Nigeria.
xxxvi. The need for all stakeholders to support the Implementation of the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (RH-CRRP) Sectoral Strategy for Sustainable Economic Growth and Development.
xxxvii. The need for continued government support to the National Agricultural Research Institutes (NARIs) under the coordination of the Agricultural Research Council of Nigeria (ARCN) to carry out more research for the benefit of the famers and achieving food security.
xxxviii. The potential Impact of Tarrif Removal on the Nigeria Rice Sector, its resultant effects on the sector and the urgency required in addressing the problem.
Endorsed as follows:
I. The promotion of Mini Tractors (Small HP Tractors) (25-45 HP) to complement other mechanization machineries to reduce drudgery and enhance productivity among smallholder farmers in Nigeria.
II. The Implementation and adoption of the “Produce for Lagos” initiative to strengthen national food production and supply systems to ensure ready markets for Nigerian farmers.
III. The Accelerated Production of Roots and Tuber Crops for National food Security through collaboration among government institutions and farmers-based organizations for value chain development.
IV. Youth engagement in agriculture initiatives to address threats to sustainable food security in Nigeria.
V. Harnessing renewable energy in agriculture by improving food systems through a collaborative approach to enhance energy efficiency, reduce waste and to enhance food security in Nigeria;
The Council unanimously resolved that the 48th NCAFS Meeting will hold in Enugu, Enugu State after a motion.
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