The federal government is set to begin a nationwide audit and registration of farmers to eliminate so-called “briefcase farmers” and ensure only genuine farmers benefit from agricultural interventions. Minister of State for Agriculture, Aliyu Abdullahi, announced the move at a forum in Kaduna organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation. He said the initiative is part of President Tinubu’s data-driven efforts to tackle food insecurity and revive the sector.
Abdullahi disclosed that over 133,000 hectares of wheat have been cultivated across 15 northern states under the agro-pocket scheme, surpassing its 130,000-hectare target. Jigawa alone accounted for over 50,000 hectares. He also said support will soon be extended to 44,500 rice farmers through an improved extension service programme, aimed at correcting the current 1-to-25,000 extension worker-to-farmer ratio.
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To modernise farming, the government has launched 2,000 Belarusian tractors and 9,000 implements, while agro-processing zones are being developed to enhance market access and value addition.
Meanwhile, the federal government plans to establish livestock breeding centres in all six geopolitical zones. Abdullahi said this will boost productivity and sustainability in the livestock sector. He also noted ongoing collaboration with ministries of education, environment, water resources, and blue economy to embed agricultural learning in schools and align strategies under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
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