Michael Olugbode in Abuja

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has called for stronger regional coordination to boost agricultural productivity, enhance trade, and protect the environment across West Africa. 

He made the call in Abuja on Wednesday at the opening of the ECOWAS Initiative on Economic Integration through Trade, Environment and Agriculture—an interlinked series of policy dialogues convened by the ECOWAS Commission.

The meetings brought together the Directorates of Trade, Environment and Agriculture, along with ministers, development partners and technical experts from across the region. 

Kyari noted that the engagements are crucial for shaping the policies and systems that determine the economic trajectory of West Africa.

He stressed that agriculture, trade and environmental management must be treated as one interconnected system, noting that agricultural goods constitute a significant portion of West Africa’s intra-regional trade but remain vulnerable to climate shocks, land degradation and water scarcity.

He said: “With agriculture driving regional trade and the environment sustaining our productivity, none of these sectors can function in isolation,” urging member states to strengthen mechanisms that support farmers and deepen market integration.

Kyari highlighted ongoing efforts at both regional and continental levels to promote predictable, rules-based trade, referencing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) as vital tools for expanding market access.

He also reaffirmed the importance of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) and ECOWAS’ own agricultural blueprint, ECOWAP, which has guided regional planning since 2005. 

Both frameworks, he said, align with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 vision for food security and economic transformation.

Nigeria, he added, has established its Agriculture Sector Working Group to coordinate national agricultural development under the Post-Malabo CAADP commitments and ahead of the Kampala Declaration (2026–2035). 

The platform brings together government agencies, researchers, private sector players, farmer organisations, civil society groups, and development partners to harmonise planning and track accountability.

The minister, while reflecting on his personal history with the regional bloc, recalled serving 25 years ago on the Nigerian team that helped set up the ECOWAS Parliament, where he became the body’s first Questor. 

He described Nigeria’s role in hosting the Parliament as a point of national pride and a symbol of the country’s enduring commitment to regional integration.

 He noted that Nigeria is pursuing comprehensive reforms through the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (NATIP), which links technology, farmer support, market efficiencies and institutional changes under one framework.

As NATIP approaches its midterm review, Nigeria is working to align it with upcoming regional commitments under the Kampala Declaration.

This week’s ECOWAS sessions are expected to address issues central to food production, including fertilizer quality control, soil health interventions, and a regional fertilizer market strategy. The technical follow-up meetings on ECOWAP implementation will continue into early December.

Kyari described fertilizer as the “single most expensive but most impactful input” for African farmers, warning that poor quality fertilizer or high prices directly threaten regional food output. He underscored the need for harmonized standards and stronger quality enforcement across West Africa.

He also disclosed that Nigeria recently launched the Nigerian Farmers Soil Health Scheme, which provides soil-specific nutrient guides, enhances fertilizer use efficiency, and establishes a national soil-health data platform. The initiative is expected to strengthen domestic food production and support regional coordination.

He noted that agriculture contributes more than 25 percent of Nigeria’s GDP and remains the country’s largest employer, Kyari noted. He argued that strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector inevitably boosts food resilience and market opportunities across the region.

The minister reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to making food security a central pillar of Nigeria’s national agenda, adding that the administration’s focus aligns with ECOWAS’ broader goal of a self-sufficient and economically integrated West Africa.

Kyari emphasized that achieving the region’s aspirations will require active participation from farmers, pastoralists, youth, women, private sector players, researchers and civil society groups. He urged member states to intensify policy coordination, upgrade standards and expand knowledge-sharing.

“West Africa’s strength will be defined by the strength of its collaboration,” he said, pledging Nigeria’s continued commitment to shared regional goals.

He expressed hope that the Abuja engagements would help translate regional ambitions into functional systems capable of driving sustainable growth across the ECOWAS space.

Also, the Federal Government has expressed its readiness to support the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Action Plan to confront poor plastic waste disposal in the subregion.

Nigeria’s Minister of Environment, Balarabe  Lawal, gave the promise at the opening ceremony of the validation of the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan on plastic management and the ECOWAS initiative towards economic integration through trade, environment and agriculture.

He said poor plastic waste disposal is posing major risks to food security in the ECOWAS sub-region.

Lawal said: “Across the ECOWAS sub-region, it has been estimated that over 2 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated annually, with a significant percentage ending up in waterways, drainage channels, ocean bodies or open dumps.” 

The minister said that this poses major risks to food security, climate resilience, public health and economic livelihoods.

“The validation of this Regional Action Plan, therefore, provides us with a harmonised framework for: Transitioning to sustainable plastic production and consumption systems; strengthening Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mechanisms; advancing circular economy value chains; promoting regional standards, monitoring and compliance systems; and supporting research, innovation and green job creation,” he said.

The minister while acknowledging that the ECOWAS is championing an integrated approach that ensures trade policies, agricultural systems, environmental standards, and industrialisation, pledged that: “Nigeria fully aligns with the objectives of this regional action plan.”

He said the Federal Ministry of Environment continues to strengthen national policies and regulatory frameworks, adding that: “We remain committed to working collaboratively with all ECOWAS Member States to harmonise regional standards, promote knowledge exchange, and build capacity for effective implementation.”

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the meeting, the Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mrs Damtien Tchintchibidja, referencing the 2024 FAO State of Food Security Report, said that 12% of the West African population is food insecure. 

“The causes can be attributed to adverse effects of climate change, poor functioning of regional markets, policy incoherence, and restrictive trade policies, as well as conflicts,” she said, adding that ECOWAS is committed to advancing regional strategies that promote renewable energy, sustainable land use, and resilience against climate shocks.

She said the ECOWAS Commission, through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture, is implementing a portfolio of strategic projects aimed at strengthening industrial development, promoting trade, boosting agricultural productivity, improving food and nutritional security, and accelerating inclusive economic growth in all member states. 

“These initiatives aim to give operational content to ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the broader objectives of the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

“Agriculture remains the backbone of our economies, employing millions and ensuring food security. Guided by the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP), our interventions aim to modernize production, strengthen value chains, and promote agribusiness that is inclusive and competitive. 

“Furthermore, we are advancing the West Africa Fertilizer and Soil Health initiatives, which are critical for improving productivity, restoring degraded lands, and ensuring sustainable food systems. 

“By investing in soil health and fertiliser access, we are laying the foundation for resilient agriculture that can feed our people and create jobs for our youth and women,” she said.

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