Sanni Marvelous
Nigeria has formally adopted the Kampala Declaration on Agriculture and Food Security (2026–2036) to transform its agrifood systems, with the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, calling for coordinated action across all levels of government to achieve sustainable food security.
Speaking at the Community of Practice Summit on the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) in Abuja on Monday, themed “From Kampala to Abuja: Transforming Agrifood Systems in Nigeria”, the Minister said the declaration would intensify sustainable food production, promote agro-industrialization, reduce post-harvest losses, and boost intra-African trade in the agricultural sector.
Kyari explained that the goal of the declaration is to increase agricultural investment, enhance regional integration through trade, promote inclusivity, advance research and innovation, and strengthen institutional governance.
“The need to drive food system transformation cannot be over-emphasized. We must move beyond business-as-usual approaches and embrace bold reforms that will make our food systems more productive, resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. This transformation is essential to ensure food security in the country,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that the Federal Government has made significant progress in implementing the Malabo Declaration through clear policy direction and collaboration with state governments. He cited the African Union’s biennial review, which shows that Nigeria is making “significant strides in the agricultural ecosystem.”
As part of these efforts, the Ministry has established an Agricultural Sector Working Group comprising research institutions, development partners, private and public sector actors, civil society organizations, and non-governmental bodies.
“The group serves as a critical governance mechanism to scale up best practices, monitor progress, identify gaps, stimulate actions for results, promote accountability, and mobilize collective action towards the achievement of our shared responsibility,” Kyari stated.
Highlighting tangible achievements, the Minister revealed that the Federal Government has provided 2,000 tractors and related implements to boost production. He added that the government has launched Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) in Kaduna, Cross River, and Ogun States, with more to come.
According to him, the project involves $538.05 million in investment, leveraging the private sector to establish industrial hubs and agricultural transformation centers, expected to stimulate $1 billion by 2027.
Kyari also disclosed that at the African Food Systems Summit in Dakar, Nigeria presented the Nigeria Postharvest Systems Transformation Program (NiPHaST) to investors. The initiative seeks to address postharvest losses valued at ₦3.5 trillion annually and strengthen value chains to safeguard national food sovereignty.
“The outcome of this investment drive will create a more efficient, sustainable, and equitable food system, ultimately contributing to farmers’ income, livelihood improvement, waste reduction, value chain enhancement, economic development, and food security,” he stated.
The Minister stressed that achieving food security requires collective ownership and coordination between the Federal and State Governments.
“The need for synergy between the Federal and State Governments is not just beneficial, it is indispensable for achieving sustainable food security, resilient livelihoods, and the transformational change envisioned by the Kampala Declaration,” Kyari said.
He appealed to State Commissioners of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Rural Development to work closely with the Federal Government to align agricultural policies and actions with the CAADP framework.
“Our challenges require not only innovative solutions but also coordinated action and unwavering commitment at every level of government,” he urged.
“The Federal Government stands ready to support and collaborate with you as we align our efforts with CAADP and our national priorities. Together, let us set realistic targets, pool endowments, and drive the reforms needed to build robust, equitable, and sustainable food systems across all our sub-regions.”
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, noted that the CAADP framework has already had a transformative impact on agriculture across Africa by helping countries align their national policies with continental priorities.
Also speaking, the Head of German Cooperation, Dr. Karen Yansen, described the Kampala Declaration (2025) as an evidence-based framework aimed at strengthening governance systems through integrated monitoring while promoting inclusivity and equity.
The summit drew participants from across the agricultural sector, including representatives of the Minister of Livestock Development, officials from the German Development Cooperation, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and State Commissioners of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries, among others.
