By Mercy Peter
The Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL) has disclosed that more than 100,000 hectares of agricultural land have been mapped under its Land Bank Initiative to support commercial farming, attract investment and improve productivity across Nigeria’s agricultural sector.
The initiative is part of efforts to address structural challenges affecting agricultural production, including fragmented farming systems, inadequate mechanisation, infrastructure deficits and limited access to finance.
The Executive Director, Operations, NIRSAL, Dr Ewaen Imohe, disclosed this at the maiden edition of AgroMeqa Expo 2026 in Abuja on Thursday.
The two-day expo, organised by the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) in collaboration with JMT Plus Farms and Agro-Allied, is themed “Technology and Investment for Agro-Export.”
Imohe identified the need to organise farmers into production clusters, expand access to agricultural machinery and adopt innovative financing mechanisms as critical measures for transitioning from subsistence farming to commercially viable agricultural enterprises.
He explained that fragmented production systems often limit farmers’ ability to achieve economies of scale, access modern equipment and attract the investment required to expand their operations.
According to him, farmer clustering could provide a framework for coordinating production, improving access to shared infrastructure and making agricultural investments more attractive to financial institutions and private-sector operators.
He also advocated the adoption of renewable-energy solutions to reduce operating costs and improve the efficiency of agricultural businesses, particularly in areas where energy and infrastructure constraints affect production and processing.
The NIRSAL executive made the remarks during discussions on financing the modern agro-industrial value chain at AgroMeqa Expo 2026, which brought together policymakers, investors, agricultural practitioners and other stakeholders.
The event focused on mobilising investment in agricultural technology, mechanisation, processing, storage and export development to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural competitiveness and increase non-oil export earnings.
Inadequate access to finance and modern farming equipment remains a major concern for agricultural producers seeking to expand production and meet the demands of commercial markets.
Stakeholders at the expo stressed that improving access to appropriate financing would be essential to enabling farmers and agribusiness operators to invest in machinery, processing facilities and technologies that improve productivity.
The President of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Engr. Dr Jani Ibrahim, said investment was needed across the agricultural value chain, including farm machinery, storage, processing, quality assurance, logistics and market access.
Ibrahim emphasised that Nigeria must increase local processing of agricultural produce, meet international quality standards and develop reliable commercial relationships to compete effectively in regional and global markets.
Similarly, the President of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, PhD, called for a transition from traditional agricultural practices to mechanised and commercially viable production systems.
He said technology adoption and stronger market linkages could improve productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, create employment and expand Nigeria’s non-oil exports.
The Minister of Livestock Development, Alhaji Idi Mukhtar Maiha, also called for increased investment in dairy production, red meat processing, leather manufacturing and commercial fodder production.
Maiha said livestock contributes an estimated $32 billion to Nigeria’s economy, with the Federal Government targeting growth to $74 billion.
He highlighted NACCIMA’s announcement of a proposed $50 billion, 10-year livestock investment initiative, describing it as an opportunity to expand productive enterprises, create jobs and strengthen export capacity.
The minister further stressed the importance of investment in animal health, traceability, processing infrastructure and appropriate technologies to improve product quality and strengthen food security.
Two panel sessions at the expo examined the role of mechanisation and precision agriculture in moving farmers from subsistence production to commercial operations, as well as strategies for unlocking capital for the modern agro-industrial value chain.
The sessions were moderated by Dr Olasetemi Bode Thompson, ACCI Vice President, Agriculture, Chairman of JMT Plus Farms and convener of the expo.
Other panellists included Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, ACCI First Deputy President; Dr Thomas Olugenga Arokoyo, Managing Consultant, Garvent Consult; Dr Godwin Uche Ukel, ACCI Chairman of Agriculture; Mr Mustapha Bakano Othman, National President of the Nigerian Cassava Growers Association; and Mr Nasir Adama of the Nigeria Agricultural Insurance Corporation.
