The Agricultural Policy for Nigeria (2001 — Revised Edition)

A Policy establishes a strategic framework for developing all sub-sectors of Nigerian agriculture. It provides instruments and investment priorities to support smallholder farmers and agribusinesses across the nation. The goal is achieving food security and structural economic transformation through the private sector.

What Is This Policy?

The Agricultural Policy for Nigeria is the Federal Government's enduring strategic framework for the development of all sub-sectors of agriculture — providing the policy instruments, institutional structures, and investment priorities to achieve food security, rural income growth, agricultural export diversification, and structural economic transformation through a vibrant private-sector-led agricultural sector.

Who Does It Target?

Smallholder farmers (over 15 million households) who produce approximately 80% of Nigeria's food supply Agribusinesses, processors, marketers, and agricultural input suppliers across all six geopolitical zones Rural communities and youth seeking livelihoods in agriculture and agro-processing value chains Agricultural research institutions, extension service agencies, and cooperative societies Investors in mechanised commercial farming, irrigation infrastructure, and agro-industrial processing

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Achieve self-sustaining growth in all agricultural sub-sectors and the structural transformation necessary for national socio-economic development Attain food self-sufficiency and food security for Nigeria's growing population — eliminating food import dependence Modernise agricultural production, processing, storage, and distribution through improved technologies and private sector investment Create rural employment and improve farmers' incomes to productively absorb a growing national labour force Protect and improve Nigeria's agricultural land resources and preserve the environment for sustainable long-term production

Key Features

Multi-Sub-Sector Coverage: Policy covers crop production, livestock, fisheries, forestry, land use, water resources, and rural development in a coordinated framework Private Sector Primacy: Policy repositions government from operator to enabler — the private sector leads production, processing, and marketing with government providing incentives and infrastructure Fiscal & Monetary Instruments: 5-year tax-free period for agricultural companies, rural banking incentives, ACGSF loan guarantees, and agricultural insurance schemes ADP Infrastructure: Agricultural Development Projects (ADPs) in all states provide extension services, rural roads, storage, and input supply to smallholder farmers Presidential Commodity Initiatives: Specific commodity presidential initiatives (rice, cassava, palm oil, cocoa, sorghum) to drive priority value chain development NATIP 2021–2025: The most current expression of agricultural policy — the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy — emphasises R&D-led value chain development with research institutions at the core

Current Status

Active and being implemented. The revised 2001 Agricultural Policy provides the strategic framework for federal and state agricultural programmes, though a newer Green Alternative Policy was issued in 2016.

Legal Framework

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (Section 18); Land Use Act 1978; Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme Fund Act; National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP) 2021–2025