The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the Coalition of Farmers Associations for Food Security in Nigeria (COA-FARMERS) as the agriculture sector achieved a 4.39% growth in the second quarter of 2026. This growth marks the sector's strongest performance since 2021. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, announced this during the inauguration of the coalition in Abuja on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to Kyari, the growth in the agriculture sector is largely attributed to the efforts of Nigerian farmers following President Tinubu's declaration of a state of emergency on food security. The declaration was made shortly after President Tinubu assumed office. The renaming of the ministry to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security reflects the administration's focus on translating agricultural policies into food availability on Nigerian tables.
Senator Kyari emphasized that COA-FARMERS must go beyond serving as an umbrella body for farmers' associations. Instead, it should identify challenges, improve information flow from farmers, and help the government assess the effectiveness of its agricultural programs. The coalition will play a crucial role in Nigeria's international agricultural engagement, particularly after Nigeria was unanimously elected to chair the Governing Council of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) in February.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security highlighted the importance of women farmers in achieving food security. He stressed that women farmers must have greater opportunities to participate in decision-making, access tools, invest, and expand their businesses. Kyari urged the coalition to provide honest feedback on government programs, particularly in areas where interventions were not reaching farmers as intended.
Senator Kyari also disclosed that President Tinubu had appointed him Director of the Presidential Campaign Council for Agro-Allied Commodities Mobilisation. The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, will serve as Deputy Director. Abdullahi acknowledged the coalition's stated support for the President's re-election bid and urged members to highlight the administration's achievements in agriculture and other sectors.
The National President of COA-FARMERS, Chief Emmanuel Anoh, stated that the coalition comprises 99 farmer associations and commodity organisations. These organisations represent producers, aggregators, processors, and marketers across the agricultural value chain. Anoh commended government interventions, including fertiliser distribution, tractor mechanisation, and the National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro-Pocket.
Chief Anoh called for a direct-to-farm approach to distributing interventions and quarterly stakeholder meetings with the ministry. The coalition aims to work closely with the government to ensure that agricultural policies translate into tangible results for farmers and the nation at large. The inauguration of COA-FARMERS marks a significant step towards achieving food security and enhancing the agricultural sector in Nigeria.
Key points
- Nigeria's agriculture sector recorded a 4.39% growth in Q2 2026, its strongest performance since 2021.
- The Federal Government inaugurated the Coalition of Farmers Associations for Food Security in Nigeria (COA-FARMERS) to enhance food security and agricultural development.
- Women farmers' participation in decision-making and access to tools and resources will be crucial in achieving food security, according to Senator Abubakar Kyari.
