By Abdullahi Lukman
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has trained its officers on the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) approach and other agricultural initiatives aimed at strengthening food security, economic diversification and job creation.
The four-day capacity-building workshop, which opened on January 19, 2026, in Abuja, is designed to reposition agriculture as a key driver of national stability and inclusive growth.
The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, said the SHEP approach would shift smallholder farmers from subsistence “grow and sell” practices to a business-oriented “grow to sell” mindset.
According to Ogunbiyi, the approach focuses on improving farmers’ incomes by strengthening technical skills, expanding market access and promoting farmer-led market surveys, gender partnerships and business linkages.
He said the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises sustainable food security and poverty reduction.
The training also covers broader thematic areas critical to modern agricultural governance, including improved agricultural and pastoral practices, modern extension methods, climate-smart agriculture, monitoring and evaluation systems, policy formulation and contract farming.
Ogunbiyi said these components are expected to support year-round crop production, reduce food shortages, create employment and enhance climate adaptation.
He urged participants to translate the training into improved service delivery and measurable benefits for farmers and agribusinesses, noting that capacity building should lead to tangible outcomes beyond the workshop.
The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to achieving national food security in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda.
Meanwhile, the SPRiNGS Coordinator, Dr Ukoha Ukiwo, represented by Mr Ephraim Enuch, said the organisation would partner with the ministry to strengthen extension services, monitoring and evaluation, data systems and policy development within the agricultural sector.