The Federal Government says the Presidential Economic Management Team (EMT) is set to take a decisive position on the persistent smuggling of agricultural products into Nigeria, a move expected to stabilise commodity markets and provide greater certainty for investors in the agricultural value chain.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this during an investment inspection tour of farms and agribusiness facilities in Kaduna State, held as part of the ongoing National Council on Agriculture and Food Security.
Kyari, who visited Olam’s processing facility, TMDK agro-processing plant, Tomato Jos, and a new quality assurance complex under construction by Afreximbank, said the government is tightening market systems and regulatory infrastructure to ensure that domestic producers remain competitive, particularly in the face of cheap products entering the country illegally.
‘The Economic Management Team that has highlighted very loudly the issue of securing our borders for illegal smuggling, illegal imports of cheap foods, so it’s something that is highlighted to the presidential level’, the Minister said.
A major component of the government’s strategy is the establishment of a national quality assurance facility, supported by Afreximbank, which will certify Nigerian agricultural products for domestic and export markets.
Kyari described the emerging facility as a seal of approval that will enhance product competitiveness globally and help address issues such as export rejection in international markets.
The Minister noted that investor interest in agriculture is rising in response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s food security and food sovereignty agenda. He highlighted new participation by young entrepreneurs and women-led agribusinesses as a positive indicator of sector vibrancy.
‘We visited a young lady running a processing plant with a women farmer outgrower network. This demonstrates that people are not afraid to invest in agriculture, and confidence is growing,’ Kyari stated.
Kyari also disclosed that the administration is working to reduce the cost of farming inputs, a major pain point for producers, while simultaneously rebuilding Nigeria’s strategic food reserves.
‘We are going to tackle the price of inputs. Replenishing the strategic reserves will inject financial liquidity into the agricultural sector and support farmers to grow crops all year round, particularly during the dry season,’ he said.
Responding to concerns raised by Tomato Jos CEO Mira Mehta on the ban on liquid fertiliser imports, Kyari explained that while the product has agricultural value, it also contains components that can be used in explosives.
‘Liquid fertiliser is also a security issue. However, government is open to developing a policy framework that safeguards national security while ensuring farmers, especially horticultural growers, have the inputs they need’, the Minister said.
With the EMT expected to announce measures to curb smuggling and stabilise markets, analysts say the new policy direction could unlock additional private sector investment inflows and accelerate expansion of Nigeria’s agro-industrial base.