Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) in collaboration with ActionAid Nigeria has inaugurated Agricultural Sector Working Group (ASWG) aims to drive the implementation of Agrifood System Transformation in Nigeria, as resolved by the African Union Heads of State.
The inaugural meeting which also had full support of international development partners and organizations such as European Union, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and International Fertilizer Development Center held in Abuja, yesterday.
Honourable Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubarkar Kyari CON, in his opening remarks said, the critical role of ASWG as resolved by the AU Heads of States is to bring together six key stakeholder groups in the agricultural sector—the Public Sector, Private Sector, Research Institutions, Farmers’ Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, and Development Partners—who will collectively help shape the trajectory of agriculture in our nation.
“The formation of ASWG aligns with the broader African Union Heads of State Resolution on Agrifood System Transformation, which aims to enhance food security, nutrition, and sustainable agricultural development across the continent.”
“Member states, including Nigeria, are expected to align their national priorities with this vision to ensure a resilient and thriving agricultural landscape.”
Kyari added that achieving this goal would require continuous engagement with critical stakeholders to foster innovative solutions, strengthened collaboration, and effective policy formulation.
“Through structured dialogue and shared expertise, we can ensure that our policies, programs, and projects are tailored to meet both current and future challenges in agriculture and food security.
“Given Nigeria’s pivotal role in the global agricultural ecosystem, it is imperative that we establish a sustainable and structured platform that not only tracks our performance but also actively explores alternative strategies to bridge existing gaps.”
“The Agricultural Sector Working Group will serve as this critical mechanism, providing a forum for monitoring progress, enhancing accountability, and mobilizing collective action toward the achievement of our shared agricultural goals.”
Honorable Minister further declared his role as the Chairperson, with support from the Honourable Minister of State, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi CON, along with our esteemed counterparts and colleagues. The Permanent Secretary will serve as the Secretary of the Agricultural Sector Working Group.
Amongst other critical roles of ASWG would be programmed towards fulfilling the following key responsibilities:
- providing advisory services and policy initiatives to guide the sustainability growth and development of the sector in Nigeria;
- facilitating the implementation of the resolutions of the African Union Heads of state on agrifood system transformation in line with 2025 Kampala Declaration in the country;
- strengthening synergy and inter-sectoral linkages in the implementation of projects and programme on Agrifood System Tansformation in the country;
- exploring funding windows to leverage on the potential in the agricultural sector across crop, livestock, fisheries and forestry sub-sectors
- coordinating a solution driven approach to address emergencies as well as policies interventions in the Agricultural sector when the need arises
- capturing and analyzing comprehensive agricultural data (Biennial Review) to inform evidence-based policy and decision-making.
Also speaking at the inaugural meeting, Honourable Minister of State, Senator Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi CON, urged ASWG esteemed group which comprise 17 Federal Ministries and Agencies, Private Sector, Civil Society Organizations and International Development partners to uphold the principles of inclusiveness, transparency, prioritization, and partnership for collective Agricfood System Transformation in the country.
“This development would require our constant disposition to aligning interests, harmonizing interventions and pooling resources for the effective implementation of policies, programs and projects across the nation.” he stated.