L-R, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari and Governor, Benue State, Rev. Father, Hyacinth Alia, during the launching of the National Soyabean Production Policy Strategy Document, in Abuja.
By Victoria Onehi
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, said Nigeria currently produces approximately 1.35 million tons of soybeans annually.
The Minister disclosed this while unveiling of the National Soyabean Production Policy Strategy and the launch of the Nigerian Soyabeans partnership held in Abuja Continental Hotel recently.
The Minister said the National Soyabeans Production Policy and Strategy would provide a clear blueprint to scale-up production, drive value addition and expand domestic and international markets, noting that the target is to cultivate I million hectares of farmland and deliver 460,000 metric tons of soybean grain to the market within two years.
The Minister pointed out that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, made it clear that food security is not merely an aspiration but an urgent mission that would rebuild rural economies, create jobs and position Nigeria as a global agricultural powerhouse.
He revealed that soyabeans policy and strategy is a critical tool that aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda, which places agriculture at the centre of Nigeria’s economic transformation.
The Minister said:”To achieve this vision, we must address the realities of our current production. Nigeria currently produces approximately 1.35 million tons of soyabeans annually, yet our national demand surpasses 2.7million metric tons, fueled by the growing food, feed, and industrial sectors.”
“This supply gap is both a challenge and an opportunity to expand production, strengthen processing capacity, and create jobs”, the Minister added.
He pointed out that this makes it even more important to recognise the value of soyabeans, not only as an industrial and economic crop but as a source of essential nutrition containing about 40% high quality protein and essential amino acids, making it crucial in the fight against malnutrition and improving household diets.
The Minister further stated that Nigeria’s soyabeans are natural non-GMO, which is on high demand making Nigeria well positioned to compete globally and becoming a leading supplier of both raw grains and value added products such as soyabeans oil, flour, tofu and protein isolates.
In a statement, the Minister revealed the role soyabeans play locally, serving as the backbone of our animal feed industry, with roughly one third of Nigeria’s soyabean production going into poultry feed, where it constitutes about 20-25% of the feed mix.
Sen Kyari, called for a collective commitment and leadership, stressing that time has come to take the next decisive step for Nigerian Soyabeans Partnership.”This partnership is designed to unite federal and state governments, private sector stakeholders, farmer’s cooperatives, and development partners in building an integrated and competitive value chain.”
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Father, Hyacinth Alia stated that the National soyabeans Expansion strategy will be a bold, forward looking partnership designed to generate N3.9 trillion in annual revenue, create one million jobs across 22 states and the FCT, and position Nigeria as a powerhouse in global agriculture.
He further re-iterated that Benue State stands as the linchpin of this vision. “Since the introduction of the ‘Malayan’ Soyabeans variety in 1937, our fertile Guinea Savanna has nurtured generations of hardworking farmers. Our fields, enriched by nature and sustained by tradition, has made Benue the leading producer of soyabeans in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa”, he emphasised.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi stated the launch was aimed at the expanding soyabeans production in Nigeria and repositioning it as a strategic commodity for national food security for industrial growth and export earnings.
He therefore commended the development partners of the Soyabeans value chain for their utmost commitment, noting that their presence underscores the national importance of the policy and strategy.
Highlight of the event was the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (Mou) with Dantata Group and Benue State Government.
In attendance were Hon. Commissioners of Agriculture, Directors of the Ministry, Development partners from Commodity Development Initiative (CDi), Nigeria Soybean Partnership, Expera Global Cooperation, National Agricultural Development Fund among others.
