Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, made the call during a courtesy visit by an FAO delegation led by the Country Representative to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Hussein Gadain.
Speaking on the need for collaboration, Abdullahi said, “Our partnership with the FAO has been longstanding, particularly in areas of technical support, financial assistance, and agricultural data management. Strengthening this collaboration will help us scale climate-resilient farming, improve access to quality seeds, adopt modern agricultural techniques, and reinforce agricultural value chains nationwide.”
The minister also highlighted the urgent need to expand and modernize irrigation systems across Nigeria to enable year-round farming, increase crop yields, and enhance national food security.
He further underscored the importance of plant health and pest management as key priorities, noting that effective control of crop diseases and pests is crucial for sustainable agriculture.
In his remarks, Dr. Gadain commended Nigeria’s agricultural potential, stating that “through continuous partnership and strategic interventions, the country can fully harness its farming capabilities. Key areas of collaboration include improving market systems, promoting climate-smart agriculture, and enhancing agricultural data management for informed policy-making.”
The meeting signals a renewed commitment from the Federal Government to leverage international expertise and innovation in agriculture, with the goal of boosting production, creating jobs, and ensuring sustainable food systems for Nigeria’s growing population.
