Youth, women farmers key to unlocking Nigeria’s agricultural potential – Kyari

Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, has emphasised the crucial role that youth and women farmers play in fast-tracking development in the agricultural sector.

During a recent working visit to D’More Food and Spices, a food processing company owned and managed by Nigerian youth farmers, Kyari highlighted the importance of active participation by youth and women in agriculture.

According to Kyari, “Active participation of youth and women farmers in agriculture would fast-track development in the sector, increase production, revitalize agribusiness, as well as achieve food and nutrition security.”

He assured that the Ministry would provide the strategic policy backbone for transforming agriculture into a tech-enabled, youth- and women-driven sector.

The minister’s visit to D’More Food and Spices, which is located at the Technology Incubation Hub in Lafia, Nasarawa State, showcased the company’s innovative approach to food processing and agribusiness. The company’s products, including curry, thyme, chilli pepper, and rice, are a testament to the potential of Nigerian youth farmers to produce high-quality products.

Tobi Jeremiah Olanrewaju, Team Lead at D’More Food and Spices, explained that the company’s food processing arm was established to address the issue of post-harvest losses and create dignified jobs for young people and women.

He stated, “Every year, smallholder farmers lose up to half their harvest because of a lack of storage and processing facilities. At D’More, we saw both a tragedy and an opportunity.”

Olanrewaju further emphasised that by processing agricultural products into premium-quality spices and food products, the company is not only extending shelf life and creating value but also turning what could have been waste into income for farmers and nourishment for families.

He added, “More than that, we are showing that agriculture is not just survival, it is prosperity and pride.”

The minister’s visit and the company’s innovative approach to agribusiness highlights the potential for youth and women farmers to drive development in the agricultural sector.

Kyari’s assurance of support from the Ministry, including providing a conducive environment for agribusiness and maximizing the potential of youth and women farmers, is a welcome development.

As Olanrewaju noted, “We are appealing for single-digit financing from institutions like the Bank of Industry and Bank of Agriculture and other intervention programmes.” This support would enable companies like D’More Food and Spices to scale up their operations and make a more significant impact in the agricultural sector.

The highlight of the working visit was the inspection of the company’s facility, which includes the raw materials store, processing room, and finished products section.