The Japanese ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Suzuki Hideo, has said that modernisation and improvement of agricultural productivity remain the foundation of Nigeria’s sustainable economic development and its bright future. Speaking at the annual stakeholders’ workshop and the 40th year anniversary of the Sasakawa Africa Association, the ambassador said Nigeria had the potential to be an economic powerhouse of Africa if it focused on mechanisation, postharvest losses and link to the market. “Nigeria has a vast agricultural land and fertile soil covering approximately 76.6 per cent of its territory, along with abundant water resources, which together lead to significant agricultural production potential.

The agricultural sector employs about 34 per cent of the labour force and contributes about 25 per cent to the gross domestic product. “Given this situation, I firmly believe that the modernisation and improvement of agricultural productivity are the foundation of Nigeria’s sustainable economic development and its bright future. Mr Hideo said that to fully realise Nigeria’s inherent productivity, it is crucial to advance mechanisation, reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen links to markets, adding that for the “past 40 years, the Sasakawa Africa Association has been working tirelessly to help maximise Nigeria’s agricultural production capacity.” The Minister of State, Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Sabi Abduallahi, said that the country, in collaboration with donor agencies, had developed many initiatives that would strengthen the country’s agriculture.

Dr Abdullahi said the federal government would launch the ‘Readiness Assessment and the Coalition of the Willing’ with sub-national governments by May 2026, with participation from all 36 governors and their commissioners. Earlier, the country director of Sasakawa Africa Association, Dr Godwin Atser, stated that “despite efforts by the government to transform agriculture, Nigeria spends $10 billion on food imports, such as wheat, rice, sugar, fish and tomato paste. Dr Atser said, “The truth is that our country’s production capacity is behind demand.

Therefore, there is need to take appropriate technologies to farmers through effective extension and advisory services.” Atser, who also highlighted the various achievements of the organisation in Nigeria, said the sector faced many challenges that must be properly addressed. “While we take pride in the progress made over the years, we are equally mindful of the evolving challenges confronting the agricultural sector, including climate variability, population pressures and shifting economic realities,” he said.