Editorial: CBN should stop selling fertilizers

 

Our attention has been drawn to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) officials meddling into selling fertilizers by themselves. This is unconstitutional, and outrightly off its mandate monetary policy.

Varietal Release Committee suspends 4 GM cottons pending NBMA clearance

 

The National Varietal Release Committee ( NVRC) has suspended  four (4) Genetically Modified ( GM) cotton varieties recently released for commercialization at its 36th meeting held in Ibadan.

Lowland Rice Release: NCRI, ICS-CAAS-China announce a new drought tolerant variety-FARO 73

 

The Federal Government ( FG) constituted authority for the release and registration of improved crop varieties for food security, and nutritional value addition has officially approved the commercialization of a lowland rice variety called FARO 73 into the Nigeria market to boost food productivity just as to enhance national sufficiency of the nation's leading staple food.

$134M Agriculture Programme: Officials Debunk Wheat Funding Claims, Reveal Bigger Picture

 

Amid mounting public debate, officials overseeing the National Agricultural Growth Scheme–Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) have pushed back against claims that a $134 million intervention fund is solely dedicated to wheat production, describing such assertions as misleading and incomplete.

Let us incorporate organisms against excess fertilizers, says IAR Ed

The Executive Director ( ED), Institute for Agricultural Research ( IAR), Zaria, Prof. Yusuf Ado has called on plant breeders to harness the organic nature in micro organisms to checkmate excessive use of inorganic fertilizers on soil and crops production.

Fertilizer Price Scandal: Insiders Allege Sabotage, Massive Procurement Inflation

 

Fresh controversy is rocking Nigeria’s agricultural sector as insider from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) has raised an alarm over a deliberate inflation of fertilizer procurement cost within the system.

Varietal registrar announces training for breeders

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology ( NACGRAB), Dr. A.U Okere said the centre would soon embark on breeders' training in order to achieve better varieties registration.

IAR ED emphasises on NARIs partnership

 

The Executive Director ( ED), Institute for Agricultural Research ( IAR,), Zaria, Prof. Yusuf Ado has expressed the need for more partnership synergy between National Agricultural Research Institutes ( NARIs), saying it would enhance technologies' wider spread across the nation towards food security.

FG releases maize for pop corn, meat Chicken, others

The 36th edition of National Varietal Release Committee (NVRC) Meeting for crops, livestock breed/ fisheries domiciled at NACGRAB, and chaired by Prof. Olusoji Olufajo has approved the first ever improved maize varieties for commercial pop corn production along with another quality meat chicken with several other releases that will ensure national food security inclusive of vitamin nutrients provision for the humans' body.

Images speak @ the 36th Varietal Release Meeting held today 26th 2026, at the Lafia Hotel, Ibadan.

 

Images speak @ the 36th Varietal Release Meeting held today 26th 2026, at the Lafia Hotel, Ibadan.

Stakeholders query CBN fertilizers sale

 

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s agricultural sector have raised concerns over the reported sale of fertilizers by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), pointed at how relevant this was to its mandate just as they questioned the expiration date of the items.

Onion farmers urge Govt on agric subsidies

 

Onion farmers in Nigeria have called on the Federal Government ( FG) to prioritize and sustain subsidies in the agricultural sector, warned that food insecurity could worsen if support for farmers were reduced.

Nihort says internally generated seed varieties will reduce disease cases

The Executive Director (ED), National Institute for Horticultural Research (NIHORT), Prof. Mohammed Lawal Attanda has recently posited that availability of locally generated improved seed varieties will reduce the incidences of pest diseases in the country's food security system.

Maize farmers urge FG to address price crisis

 

The Secretary General (SG), Maize Association of Nigeria ( MAN), Mr. Bamidele Ayeni has called on the Federal Government ( FG) to speedify action that will address unstable prices of maize in Nigeria.

2026 Agric Budget: Stakeholders oppose N89b for fertilizer

Stakeholders in the Agricultural sector have expressed contrary positions on the highest  budget funding being allocated to fertilizers at the expense of other  programs towards sustainable food security.

Agric Ministers parry response to unpaid salaries at Soil Institute

 

The two ministers, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) have tactically dodged answers to non payment of workers' salaries at the Institute of Soil Science of Nigeria just as no response was given to over 90% of the 2026 ministry's budget being given to National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) alone.

Former Agric director calls for stronger data-driven farming reforms

A former director at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Engr. Akeju Olagbaju has emphasized the need for a stronger data system that will enhance easy appraisal of farming reform towards food security in the country just as he requested for more collaboration with other stakeholders.

Former Kano legislator criticises N1.4trillion on food import

 

A former house of representative member, at the National Assembly, Hon. Munir Babba Dan Agundi has described a jump from N10 billion to N1.4t for food import as too outrageous within three months.

High bread price contradicts claim of FG's food decline, says ActionAids

The ActionAid, Nigeria has called on the Federal Government ( FG) to intensify effort that will ensure the price decline of bread for Nigerians like other food items the government claimed are declining.

Images @ Fed Agric Ministry quarterly citizens/stakeholders session

 

Images speak @ quarterly citizens and stakeholders engagement session held in Abuja today.

Budget padding: Agric research institutes blame legislators

 

Some heads of National Agricultural Research Institutes ( NARIs) have expressed their dissatisfaction on the budget padding that usually overshot their actual financial projects being spent annually, and thereby runs contrary to the best international practices.

Researchers record breakthrough in bitter kola production

Researchers at the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, have been able to significantly reduce the gestation period of the bitter kola tree from between 30 and 20 years to about 3 years.

Pres Tinubu extends raw shea nuts export ban

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the extension of the ban placed on the export of raw shea nuts for another year, effective from February 26, 2026, to the following month of next year.

Farmers applaud 2026 NiMet weather prediction, seek greater support – SWOFON

The Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) has applauded the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP) document released by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), describing it as a valuable tool for improving agricultural planning and productivity across the country.

NASC boss advocates tractors distribution to 774 LGAs

The Director General/CEO, National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC), Hon. Fatuhu Buhari has wished that the Belarus tractors be distributed across  774 local government areas of Nigeria where actual farmings are done

Agric Minister, State advocates re capitalization for NAIC

 

The Minister of State, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) Sen. Abdullahi Sabi Abdullahi has called for financial galvanization of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) towards security of farms' produce.

Editorial: Budget padding in Agric research institutes is absurd

The cases of budget padding in Nigeria's democratic process are very prominent in the last two decades, but allowing such to enter into agricultural research institutes is where it becomes a thing of great concern to us, especially with the present food insecurity in the country that needs pragmatic spending for the sector's development.

Soil science boss laments no funding, says workers live on mercy

The Chief Executive Officer ( CEO), Nigeria Institute of Soil Science ( NISS), Prof. Victor Chude has lamented the non-release of budget funding to his organization since the assumption of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the number one citizen of the country.

Agric Minister clamours tractors maintenance

* Distributes 2000 units

The Minister, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS) Sen. Abubarka Kyari has emphasized to the off takers of the Federal Government ( FG) 2,000 Belarus tractors' maintenance, saying it was key to enhancing food security sustainability.

Food Security: Lawmakers decry cuts on agric funding

The joint session of the National Assembly members on Agricultural   Production, Services and Rural Development at the National Assembly have in one accord described the continuous cuts in the funding of agriculture as being possible to undermine government seriousness to emergency declaration on food security in the country.

NiMet asks farmers, others to seek its counsel on early rains prediction

 

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) management has asked farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural value chains in Nigeria to ensure best practices based on the 2026 climate prediction of early rains in about thirteen states with 21 days dry spell before embarking on cultivations or any other food related activities to avoid weather-related complications.

Weather Forecast: Agric Insurance disassociates self from farmers’ N1.7 trillion loss claims

 

The Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC) has distanced itself from claims by farmers alleging losses of over N1.7 trillion purportedly arising from inaccurate weather forecasts issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET).

Farmers warn against low food production in 2026

 

There are growing concerns that Nigeria may experience low food production in 2026 due to carryover challenges from previous farming seasons, with obvious delays in the preparation for the current year, coupled with worsening insecurity across key agricultural regions.

NALDA reiterates commitment to transform agricultural sector

 

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA), Cornelius Adebayo, has reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to transforming Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Cashew: former governor, farmers call for infrastructure investment

 

Major stakeholders in the cashew productivity have called for immediate infrastructure development through the producing states to enhance more economic earnings both locally and internationally.

FG, IITA enter agreement on healthy soil management

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) and International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at improving soil healthiness through fertilizer efficiency application.

Food Security: Stakeholders raise alarm over 2024 budget in 2026

Concerns are mounting across Nigeria as stakeholders question why the country is still spending the 2024 federal budget in 2026, a situation they describe as crippling food security efforts.

Kaduna set to expand dam for agric uses

The Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Mohammed Dabo has announced the expansion of the state's dam towards increased food production. 

AFAN owners disown self-acclaimed executives, caution stakeholders

The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has officially declared that it is not aware of the leadership of Dr. Farouk Rabiu Mudi, as far as the daily running of the association is presently concerned.

NALDA Trains Top Officials to Strengthen Agricultural Development Drive

The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has organized a capacity-building retreat for its directors and heads of departments as part of efforts to enhance leadership effectiveness and accelerate the agency’s mandate.

Food Security: AGRA Set to support Oyo, Ogun

The Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) has announced plans to extend its agricultural innovations and technology to two states in Nigeria, namely Oyo and Ogun in the South West.

How cashew exports can annually attract $3b, says Association

The Cashew Association of Nigeria has set plans to boost production to $3 billion through raw exports annually, as an effort to prioritize value addition for a premium products is inclusively considered.

Breaking News: Agric Mechanization centre ED passes away this morning

 

The Executive Director ( ED, National Centre for Agricultural Mechanization ( NCAM) under the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security ( FMAFS, Engr.Kamal AbdulGafar Rasheed has passed away today this morning as confirmed by the centre public relation officer, Mr. Olaifa Taye.

Sugar cane: How N650M is lost to stem borer, says plant protection president

The president of the Nigerian Society for Plant Protection ( NSPP), Prof. Abdulhammeed Umar Yufus, has cried out about the negative impact of stem borer disease on some sugar cane farms in Kano state, running to the loss of N650 million. 

Former AGF, family remand over farmers' anchor program loan financial misconduct

 

The former Attorney General of the Federation ( AGF) during the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Abubakar Malami, along with his wife and son, have been ordered to be remanded in Kuje prison for further hearing on financial misconduct linked to farmers' anchor borrowers' loan and other misappropriation levelled against them.

Wheat: Why FG decline another council

The chairman of the apex council body on agriculture and food security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, has said the government will not duplicate the Lake Chad Research Institute ( LCRI) to avoid double allocations for one crop.

Onion Farmers Seek Early Release of Improved Seeds

*Agric Minister Assures Quick Action

The National President of the National Onion Producers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NOPPMAN), Aliyu Isa, has urged the national seed committee to urgently convene and approve newly developed onion seed varieties to enhance onion production across the country.

Nigeria’s Agric Minister Takes the Global Stage as IFAD Council Chair, Vows Unity and Inclusive Growth Worldwide

 

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, has been elected as Chairman of the 49th Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), a development that further underscores Nigeria’s rising profile in global agricultural development and food security governance.

North-East NATPAN Leaders Engage Stakeholders, Hail Federal Government Support

Zonal Chairmen of the National Tomatoes Growers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria (NATPAN) from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States have convened a high-level stakeholders’ meeting in the North-East zone, bringing together key actors across the tomato value chain.

FG Distributes Processing, Post-Harvest Equipment to Boost Agribusiness in Nasarawa

The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has commenced the distribution of processing and post-harvest equipment to farmers and agribusiness groups supported under the Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP) in Nasarawa State.