The Agricultural Agenda Nigeria Initiative (AANI) has urged the federal and state Governments to provide affordable credit and strengthen security for farmers to improve food production.
The group made the call in a statement by it President, Ephraim Audu, President on Friday in Abuja.
According to the Audu, the statement was to commemorate the 2026 World Food Day, observed annually on Oct. 16.
He also called for lower agricultural production costs, improved access to farm inputs, tax relief and increased investment in agricultural innovation.
“Persistent food insecurity, rising production costs and other challenges confronting farmers require urgent and coordinated interventions,” he said.
He urged governments to ensure that agricultural subsidies and interventions reached genuine smallholder farmers, particularly those in rural communities.
He also called for affordable, single-digit interest loans, accessible agricultural insurance and the removal of prohibitive collateral requirements to improve farmers’ access to financing.
“There is need for stronger protection of farmers, farmlands and agricultural supply routes to ensure uninterrupted food production.
“Investment in irrigation, extension services, climate-resilient farming, storage, processing, transportation and market access are also crucial to reducing post-harvest losses and excessive import dependence,” he said.
Audu also advocated tax incentives for smallholder farmers and eligible agricultural enterprises, with increased opportunities for women and young people.
He called for expanded use of solar-powered irrigation, renewable-energy cold storage, mechanisation and digital agricultural services, alongside transparent implementation of agricultural programmes.
He said that AANI’s commitment to smallholder farmers was reflected in the #OutgrowHungerProject, inaugurated in 2020, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO).
“The project has supported approximately 10,000 smallholder farmers through agricultural inputs, development financing and capacity building,” he said.
He urged the private sector, development partners, financial institutions and other stakeholders to increase investment in smallholder agriculture through strategic partnerships, innovative financing and technology transfer.
He said that sustained investment in farmers was essential to strengthening food security, promoting economic growth and improving rural livelihoods.
