By Adam Said Adam, Kano
Agricultural stakeholders in Northern Nigeria have called for the adoption of Brazil’s agribusiness model as a strategic pathway to boost food security, enhance productivity, and unlock economic growth across the region.
The proposal was presented at the Expodireto Cotrijal 2026 by Faruk Umar, who spoke on behalf of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria and other agricultural stakeholders.
Umar emphasized that agriculture remains the backbone of livelihoods in Northern Nigeria and a major contributor to the country’s food system. However, he warned that rising demand and systemic inefficiencies continue to threaten sustainability.
He cited estimates showing that about 31 million Nigerians are currently facing food insecurity, a challenge compounded by rapid population growth and climate pressures.
Drawing lessons from Brazil, Umar highlighted how the country transformed its agricultural sector from heavy import dependence in the 1970s to becoming one of the world’s leading exporters of agricultural commodities.
According to him, Nigeria can replicate this success by modernizing its agricultural systems through mechanization, expanding irrigation, strengthening research institutions, improving rural infrastructure, and adopting climate-smart farming practices.
He noted that Northern Nigeria holds significant untapped potential, with over 30 million hectares of arable land, diverse ecological zones, and a large farming population. The region also benefits from proximity to key markets across West and North Africa, alongside strong prospects in livestock and staple crop production.
Despite these advantages, Umar pointed out that productivity remains low due to structural challenges, including limited access to modern equipment, vulnerability to climate variability, and weak agro-industrial support systems. He added that most farmers operate on a small scale with restricted access to improved inputs, limiting output.
He further underscored the sector’s investment appeal, noting that Nigeria’s population of over 220 million and a projected doubling of food demand by 2050 present significant opportunities. Export commodities such as sesame, hibiscus, cashew, and cocoa were identified as high-potential value chains for Northern Nigeria.
Umar also raised concerns about the country’s underutilized irrigation capacity, revealing that less than 10 percent of farmland is currently irrigated—an issue he described as critical to addressing climate-related production risks.
He acknowledged ongoing bilateral collaboration between Nigeria and Brazil, including agreements exceeding $1 billion focused on mechanization and capacity development in agriculture.
To accelerate transformation, Umar called on investors to explore opportunities in mechanization services, agro-processing, storage, logistics, and agricultural technology. He also proposed the creation of a Nigeria-based agribusiness exhibition platform modeled after Expodireto Cotrijal to attract global partnerships and innovation.
He concluded that transforming agriculture in Northern Nigeria is essential not only for economic growth but also for achieving long-term food security and sustainable development.
