Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has reiterated that the nation’s agricultural transformation depends heavily on the participation of young people and women, stressing that they are central to achieving food sufficiency and revitalizing agribusiness.
Kyari made this known during a working visit to D’More Food and Spices, an agribusiness venture located at the Technology Incubation Hub in Lafia, Nasarawa State. The company, managed by young entrepreneurs, processes farm produce into high-value food products such as spices and rice.
The minister underscored that agriculture can no longer be seen only as a means of survival, but as a platform for innovation, job creation, and economic development, especially if driven by women and youth. “Their active involvement can fast-track sector growth, boost production, enhance agribusiness, and ultimately secure the nation’s food and nutrition future,” Kyari said.
He pledged that his ministry would serve as the strategic backbone in shaping policies that encourage a tech-driven, inclusive agricultural system. According to him, providing the right environment, infrastructure, and financial backing will make agriculture more attractive to the younger generation, while empowering women to thrive in the sector.
Tackling Post-Harvest Losses with Innovation
During the visit, D’More Food and Spices showcased its approach to addressing one of Nigeria’s longstanding agricultural challenges: post-harvest losses. Each year, smallholder farmers lose as much as half of their crops due to limited storage and processing facilities, leaving huge gaps in both farmer income and national food supply.
Tobi Jeremiah Olanrewaju, the team lead at D’More, explained that the company was established with the mission to reduce these losses while creating opportunities for young people and women. “What many see as waste, we see as wealth. By processing crops into premium spices and food products, we extend shelf life, add value, and put money back into farmers’ pockets,” he said.
The company’s product line, including curry, thyme, chili pepper, and packaged rice, illustrates how small-scale innovations can bridge the gap between raw farm produce and consumer-ready goods. Beyond increasing farmers’ earnings, Olanrewaju emphasized that this model restores pride to agriculture, proving that farming can represent prosperity, not just subsistence.
Need for Financial Support
Although D’More’s initiative has gained recognition, scaling up remains a challenge without adequate financing. Olanrewaju called for stronger intervention from financial institutions such as the Bank of Industry and the Bank of Agriculture, particularly through single-digit interest loans.
“Affordable financing is key for us to expand operations and reach more farmers. With the right support, agribusinesses like ours can contribute meaningfully to national food security and youth empowerment,” he said.
Kyari, in response, assured that the government remains committed to providing policies that make financing, infrastructure, and technology accessible to agricultural enterprises. He emphasized that such support would not only strengthen existing agribusinesses but also encourage more young people and women to explore opportunities in the sector.
Transforming Agriculture into a Prosperity Engine
The minister’s facility tour, which covered raw material storage, processing areas, and finished product sections, highlighted the tangible impact of grassroots agribusiness initiatives. The visit reinforced the message that Nigeria’s food security challenge cannot be addressed through government alone but through a partnership with innovative private-sector players, particularly those led by youth and women.
With global food systems under pressure and Nigeria facing rising demand from a growing population, the push to modernize agriculture is urgent. Kyari’s call to harness the energy of young entrepreneurs and women farmers is not only a recognition of their potential but also an acknowledgment that their involvement is indispensable to the country’s agricultural revival.
If backed by policies, technology, and financing, enterprises like D’More Food and Spices could serve as models for how Nigeria transitions from a nation of raw commodity exporters to a country that adds value, creates jobs, and secures its food supply.
