Agriculture drives renewed hope agenda — Uba Sani

Governor Uba Sani has highlighted agriculture as central to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, describing it as a key driver of national economic transformation and inclusive prosperity.

The governor made the remarks while opening the 47th National Council on Agriculture and Food Security at the Umaru Musa Yarádua Conference Centre in Kaduna on Thursday.

He emphasized that Kaduna State fully aligns with the national vision of food security, recognizing agriculture as the cornerstone of rural development.

“We have pursued deliberate, evidence-based interventions that empower smallholder and large-scale farmers, expand access to inputs and markets, and promote agribusiness development,” Uba Sani said.

Kaduna State, he noted, is Nigeria’s leading agricultural hub, boasting fertile land, dynamic farmers, and strong market systems.

The state is the top producer of ginger, the leading producer of maize and grapes, and the second-largest producer of soybeans.

Agriculture accounts for nearly 43% of Kaduna’s GDP and employs about 60% of the workforce, underlining its role as the backbone of the state’s economy.

The governor highlighted significant investments in agriculture over the past two and a half years, including a budget increase from ₦1.48 billion in 2023 to ₦74.02 billion in 2025, representing a 4,871% rise.

This makes agriculture over 14% of the total state budget, exceeding the Malabo Declaration target.

He further detailed initiatives such as the largest fertilizer distribution in state history, delivering over 900 trucks of fertilizer to smallholder farmers, as well as providing quality seeds, irrigation equipment, mechanization tools, and livestock support.

Over 100,000 smallholder farmers are also being enrolled in a crop risk insurance scheme to safeguard against pests, diseases, and climate-related losses.

In his address, Minister of Agriculture Senator Abubakar Kyari reiterated the sector’s importance as the largest employer of labour in Nigeria, contributing more than a quarter of the country’s GDP. He quoted President Tinubu, saying,

“Our farmers must transition from hoes and cutlasses to tractors and harvesters. Food sufficiency is the first currency of national stability.”

Senator Kyari emphasized that Nigeria’s agricultural transformation is guided by Nigeria Vision 2050, the National Development Plan 2021-2025, and the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy, ensuring programs in input delivery, mechanization, and financing support economic diversification, food security, and inclusive growth.

He further explained that this year’s council theme, “Food Sovereignty and Food Security: An Era of Renewed Hope,” underscores the dual goal of controlling what is grown and consumed while ensuring every household has access to safe, affordable, and nutritious food.

“Food sovereignty ensures we control what we grow and consume, while food security guarantees access to nutritious food for all households,” Kyari said.