The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON, today held a bilateral meeting with senior officials of the International Fertilizer Development Center (IFDC) in Dakar to accelerate joint efforts on fertilizer availability, soil health, and farmer productivity in Nigeria.
During the meeting, both parties discussed practical measures to strengthen input markets, expand last-mile delivery systems, and scale climate-smart soil fertility practices for smallholder farmers ahead of the next planting season. The talks also focused on technical assistance for data-driven fertilizer recommendations, support for local blending capacity, and new initiatives to curb adulteration in the input supply chain.
“The Federal Government is determined to lower the cost of production for our farmers and raise yields sustainably,” Senator Kyari said. “A stronger partnership with IFDC will help us improve soil health, ensure quality inputs reach farmers on time, and advance food security in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s agenda.”
Representatives of IFDC welcomed the opportunity to deepen collaboration with Nigeria, noting the country’s strategic role in West Africa’s agricultural transformation. The discussions highlighted four major work areas: strengthening private-sector distribution networks, targeted soil testing with balanced nutrient use, farmer training on good agronomic practices, and evidence-based policies to build competitive and transparent input markets.
The Honourable Minister emphasized that all interventions would focus on affordability, quality assurance, and timely delivery of inputs to farmers, particularly in staple crop belts. He explained that this approach aligns with the Ministry’s broader agricultural programs designed to raise productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve farmer livelihoods across the country.
Both sides agreed to set up a technical working group to refine the action plan and timelines. The group will define clear milestones on farmer reach, extension delivery, and monitoring and evaluation to ensure effective progress and accountability.