FG Unveils Agricultural Reforms, Targets 21 million Jobs
Vice President Kashim Shettima.
The Federal Government has introduced a set of agricultural reforms and incentives aimed at creating 21 million jobs and reducing Nigeria’s dependence on food imports. The announcement was made on Tuesday during the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s (FAO) National and Subregional Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum in Abuja.
Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the event, described hunger as “the great equaliser that reveals our vulnerabilities and the shared fragility of our existence.”
The reforms include improved irrigation systems, easier access to credit for farmers, mechanisation, and single-window platforms for land registration.
Focus on Irrigation and Food Security
Highlighting the potential of irrigation, Shettima explained that Nigeria has the capacity to irrigate over three million hectares of farmland but currently uses less than 10 percent of that potential.
“Strategic investment in irrigation alone could triple yields, free us from seasonal dependency, and fortify our resilience against climate shocks,” he said.
The Vice President added that agriculture is central to President Bola Tinubu’s economic agenda and the National Development Plan (2021–2025), which aims to lift 35 million people out of poverty while creating jobs in rural communities.
Support from Partners and Stakeholders
The forum attracted key partners including the FAO, the EU, and ministers from Nigeria and other African countries. FAO’s representative in Nigeria, Dr. Hussein Gadain, commended Shettima’s leadership, describing agriculture as the “foundation of sustainable growth in Africa’s food systems.”
The EU also pledged long-term support, with an investment of over €80 million to unlock opportunities across seven states in Nigeria.
“Strategic investment in irrigation alone could triple yields, free us from seasonal dependency, and fortify our resilience against climate shocks.” – Vice President Kashim Shettima
Farmers React with Caution
While the new policies were welcomed, farmer groups stressed the importance of implementation. The National President of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kabir Kebram, urged the government to follow through on promises.
“Definitely, it will boost if they are implemented. Of course, you can have a policy but unless you implement it very well, you cannot see the results,” he said.
Similarly, the Competitive African Rice Forum warned against “a cycle of promises without delivery,” noting that farming seasons are often missed when reforms remain only on paper.
The Small-Scale Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON) also faulted past agricultural interventions, saying smallholder farmers—especially women—have not benefited significantly.
The Federal Government’s agricultural reforms present an ambitious plan to transform Nigeria’s food system, create jobs, and tackle food insecurity. However, farmers and stakeholders stress that action, not just policy pronouncements, will determine whether the promised 21 million jobs and food sufficiency targets are achieved.
