Our Correspondent, Kaduna
The Federal Government of Nigeria has drawn a line under the era of so-called “briefcase farmers”—individuals with no real farming activities who previously benefitted from state-funded agricultural interventions—ushering in a new age of data-driven agricultural reform designed to revitalise food production and restore credibility to the sector.
Speaking during a Government-Citizen Engagement Forum in Kaduna on Wednesday, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, announced a comprehensive overhaul of the nation’s agricultural support systems, grounded in farmer verification and digital registry audits. The forum, organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation, brought together stakeholders from across the North to discuss the future of agriculture and food security in Nigeria.
“We are ensuring that only genuine farmers benefit from government programmes. No more briefcase farmers,” the Minister stated unequivocally.
A Crisis Inherited, A Crisis Confronted
The move comes in the wake of a deepening food crisis inherited by the Bola Tinubu administration, prompting a state of emergency on food security. In response, the government has launched targeted interventions designed not just to increase production, but to ensure that support reaches those who till the land.
“Our priority is simple: ramp up production, reduce food prices, and ensure equitable access to support. We met a food crisis and responded with data-backed, targeted actions,” Abdullahi said.
A flagship effort under this transformation is the Agro-Pocket initiative, which has already seen the cultivation of over 133,000 hectares of wheat across 15 northern states—surpassing its 130,000-hectare target. Jigawa State alone contributed over 50,000 hectares, positioning itself as a key player in the national drive for food self-sufficiency.
From Tokenism to Transformation
The reforms represent a decisive shift from past practices where political patronage often dictated access to agricultural subsidies and tools. For years, “briefcase farmers”—so named for their bureaucratic presence and lack of physical engagement in agriculture—have siphoned off resources meant for genuine rural producers.
This new era of reform, Abdullahi argued, is characterised by strategic thinking and modernisation.
“These interventions are not cosmetic; they are geared towards making agriculture competitive and attractive again,” he said.
To address structural weaknesses in the sector, the government is deploying 2,000 Belarusian tractors and 9,000 farming implements, modernising the nation’s mechanisation base. Furthermore, Special Agro-Processing Zones (SAPZs) are being established to enhance market access and drive value addition—critical steps in improving rural incomes and reducing post-harvest losses.
Beyond Crops: Livestock and Research in Focus
The Minister also revealed a renewed emphasis on the livestock sector. Government plans include the development of grazing reserves, livestock villages, and transit shelters to support pastoralist communities. A national dairy policy is currently in development to boost milk production and reduce reliance on imports.
In the field of agricultural research, institutions have been empowered to release high-yield, climate-resilient varieties of major crops such as maize, rice, cassava, and tomato. Notably, the government is targeting the mitigation of the so-called “tomato ebola”—a devastating disease affecting tomato crops in parts of Nigeria.
Water and Power for Sustainable Farming
Infrastructure investments are also underway to strengthen agricultural resilience. The recent completion of three dam projects—Nwabi Yashin, Nwape, and Amla—has unlocked more than 2,700 hectares of land for irrigation. In a bid to energise rural farming communities, plans are in motion to concession mini-hydro dams for off-grid electricity supply.
The reforms also extend to reclaiming university farmlands and enhancing agricultural extension services. Nigeria’s current extension worker-to-farmer ratio—reportedly as high as 1 to 25,000—is being addressed to ensure that farmers have access to timely technical support.
Call to Action: Holding Saboteurs Accountable
In a pointed remark, Abdullahi urged stakeholders in the North to expose and discredit individuals sabotaging these reforms by gaming the system or diverting resources.
“We must confront those who manipulate systems and shortchange real farmers. The time to act is now,” he declared.
As Nigeria grapples with rising food inflation and insecurity, the Minister’s remarks reflect a government increasingly aware that agricultural reform is not only an economic necessity but also a matter of national survival.
The days of the “briefcase farmer” may finally be numbered—but the success of these reforms will ultimately depend on political will, institutional integrity, and the continued engagement of Nigeria’s farming communities.