The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said the recent drop in the prices of food crops across the country has brought significant relief to households and renewed confidence in Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
Speaking in Abuja at the inauguration of an Integrated Agro-City Framework hosted by Values 360 Ventures Limited, Kyari said the improvement was not accidental, but a result of deliberate government policies, reforms, better coordination, and targeted investments aimed at strengthening the foundations of food production.
He explained that the federal government was also working to reduce the cost of key agricultural inputs—including fertiliser, seeds, agro-chemicals, and machinery—because they constitute a major share of farmers’ production expenses.
‘Through ongoing reforms in the import delivery system, expansion of local production, and structured subsidies, we are ensuring that farmers can produce more at lower cost and with greater efficiency’, he said.
The minister described the Integrated Agro-City Framework as a strategic complement to government efforts, noting that it creates a structured ecosystem where production, processing, storage, technology, and market access are seamlessly connected.
He said the initiative will strengthen the economy, empower farmers—especially youths—and help ensure that current gains in food production are sustained.
Operational Lead, Value 360 of Saudi Arabia, Dr Mansur Abdullahi Ababutain, said the organisation established its Nigerian operations to support rural farmers through grants designed to boost food production nationwide. He said the support would enhance farming activities and contribute to national economic growth.
Also speaking, the African Operational Lead for Values 360 Ventures, Dr Kazeem Oladimeji, described the Agro-City Framework as an initiative of Lanmer Hardware Ventures Studio and Values 360 Ventures, noting that the organisation runs programmes that promote employment, entrepreneurship, and investment across various sectors.
He added that the Agro-City initiative will help rural farmers adopt improved practices, including the use of organic fertiliser, which will enhance yields.
‘With climate change affecting everyone, we must think creatively and introduce innovations that will positively impact rural farmers’, he said.
