In a bold move to transform Nigeria’s agricultural sector and ensure food security, the Federal Government on Monday unveiled the National Soybean Production Policy and Strategy alongside the Nigerian Soybean Partnership.
Launched at the Abuja Continental Hotel by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, in collaboration with Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Alia, the initiative is projected to generate ₦3.9 trillion annually and create over one million jobs across 22 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Describing the launch as a “defining moment” in Nigeria’s agricultural journey, Senator Kyari highlighted the urgency of the policy. “Nigeria currently produces about 1.35 million metric tonnes of soybean annually, yet national demand has exceeded 2.7 million metric tonnes,” he said. “This gap is not just a challenge — it’s a clear opportunity to expand production, enhance processing, and reduce our reliance on imports.”
Under the new policy, Nigeria plans to cultivate one million hectares of farmland and produce an additional 460,000 metric tonnes of soybean within two years.
The Nigerian Soybean Partnership is set to drive the strategy, uniting federal and state governments, private sector stakeholders, farmer cooperatives, and development partners to create a sustainable and integrated soybean value chain.
This initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, placing agriculture at the center of economic growth, food sufficiency, and job creation.
