Some agriculture experts have called for increased funding across all value chains of the sector to drive growth and development in 2026.
The experts spoke to reporters on Tuesday in Lagos.
An agriculture analyst and farmer, Mr. Omotunde Banjoko, said that scaling up the Nigerian agriculture sector requires greater investment.
“The Nigerian agriculture sector has significant growth potential. Between 2024 and 2025, key players leveraged their assets to increase revenue. This shows that with more investment in agricultural infrastructure, support for smallholder farmers to access land at lower interest rates, and affordable processing equipment, production can increase and prospects will improve,” he said.
Banjoko also stressed the importance of security for farmers to enhance food production.
“The more land we can cultivate, the higher our yields. We also need to invest in hybrid and high-quality seedlings in 2026 if we want better output. Additionally, reducing dependence on imports is crucial. The government should avoid encouraging imports for products we have the capacity to produce,” he added.
Echoing these points, the co-founder of Corporate Farmers, Mr. Akin Alabi, highlighted the importance of youth participation and private sector investment.
“We must prioritize youth-led participation in agriculture as well as partnerships with the private sector. The sector still requires substantial funding for smallholder farmers to boost productivity. Increased investment can also create value-added agro-products for export income,” Alabi said.
He further called for investment in climate-smart agricultural practices and irrigation systems, noting that these measures would strengthen food security and sustainability in 2026 while reducing reliance on imports.
