By Abdullahi Lukman
The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has called on Nigeria to ramp up efforts at boosting food production and reducing soaring food prices.
His made the call during the inauguration of a soybean plant and refinery at CSS Global Integrated Farms in Gora, Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State.
Adesina highlighted the growing food crisis in Nigeria, emphasizing the urgent need for strong policies and programs to support local farmers and agribusinesses.
He pointed out the rising cost of food, citing the current price of rice—over N100,000 per bag—as a stark contrast to the N8,000 price during his tenure as Minister of Agriculture under former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Accelerated efforts are needed to expand food production, lower food prices, eliminate dependency on food imports, and support local farmers to feed Nigeria,” Adesina said.
He further stressed the importance of providing incentives to agribusinesses and strengthening agricultural value chains from production to market.
The soybean plant and refinery, which can produce 10,000 liters of soybean oil daily, was lauded as a significant step in Nigeria’s agricultural development.
The project aims to reduce the country’s reliance on $62.2 million worth of crude soybean oil imports annually.
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Adesina also commended CSS Farms for its role in advancing food production and fostering youth engagement in agribusiness.
Prof. John Okpara, founder of CSS Farms, revealed plans to establish an agricultural university to empower students to start their own agribusinesses.
Okpara also shared the growth of the farm, which started with one hectare of land and now spans 1,750 hectares, employing over 1,450 workers.
The farm processes soybeans into a variety of products, including soybean oil, meal, and cake, while also producing animal feed.
Additionally, the soybean sludge is used to produce soap.
Nigeria is facing a severe hunger crisis, with an estimated 33 million people expected to experience food insecurity in 2025, up from the previous year.
The situation is exacerbated by high inflation, rising food prices, and security issues affecting farming communities, particularly in the North.
Banditry and insecurity have led to increased costs and risks for farmers, further hindering food production.
According to the United Nations, the number of hungry people in Nigeria could increase by 7 million by August 2025, highlighting the urgency for effective policy solutions.
