Kaduna State Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, has emphasized that Nigeria has yet to fully tap into its agricultural value chain due to several challenges, including a lack of focus and insufficient support for small-holder farmers. Speaking on Channels Television’s special programme marking Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day, Dabo highlighted the urgent need for a strategic shift in the agricultural sector.
“The only way out is for us to refocus,” Dabo said during the show, titled *Nigeria’s Challenging Economy: Strategies for Recovery*. He noted that many small-holder farmers in the country lack essential farming inputs such as fertilizer, which hampers productivity.
Dabo also pointed out that Nigeria has been unable to add sufficient value to its agricultural exports, leading to lower returns. He stressed the importance of value addition in boosting the country’s agricultural revenues. “We must add value. When we do that, we stand to gain a lot. By adding value, we have at least three times what we used to get now,” he said.
The commissioner further argued that Nigeria, with its large youthful population, should not have to rely on importing basic commodities like rice and wheat. Instead, he called for a deliberate focus on enhancing domestic production and maximizing the potential of the agricultural sector to boost the economy.
