To promote digital and climate-smart agriculture, the Federal Government has launched the National Agricultural Technology and Innovation Policy (2022-2027). Speaking at the launching ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mahmood Abubakar, explained that NATIP will fast-track adoption of new technologies by smallholder farmers to boost food production for local consumption and export. His words: “The focus of the new NATIP 2022-2027 is premised on 10 thematic areas including; stakeholders’ synergy and alignment, knowledge creation and transfer, rapid mechanisation, agricultural development fund establishment, extension service delivery revitalisation and livestock development. “Others are priority crop value chain strengthening, fisheries and aquaculture, marine and inland fisheries development, market development, and agricultural lands and investments partnership.” Furthermore, Abubakar noted that NATIP would target import reduction of food such as rice, dairy products and fish as well as increase resilience for farmers, and boost high potential value chains. The minister pointed out that the policy was a response to President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s agenda of diversifying the nation’s economy from oil dependency to agriculture and solid minerals-driven national development strategy. Also, the Deputy Mission Director, United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Sarah Werth, said NATIP came at a critical time when Nigeria and the world in general is faced with the worst food security crisis ever seen in years, noting that food, fuel and fertiliser prices had risen sharply over the last years. However, Werth disclosed that the U.S. Government has announced a $55m support to Nigeria to mitigate effects of the global food crisis. She said, “The Russian invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated the issue and we are now seeing indications of a global food crisis. “To that end, President Joe Biden has committed $2.76bn in US Government funding to address the global food crisis,” Werth added.
