Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, said strategic and robust investment in staple crops, namely tomato, cassava, and maize, would unlock productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen food security and ensure strong financial returns for investors.
The Minister, who spoke during his paper presentation titled ‘Investment Opportunities in Tomato, Maize and Cassava Value Chains at Hand–In–Hand (HiH) Investment Forum’ held at Abuja Continental Hotel, Abuja recently, stated that it is not just an investment in agriculture but an investment in food security, economic resilience, and sustainable development across Africa.
According to Senator Kyari: ‘The tomato investment estimated at $869 million targets 72,000 hectares in Kano, Bauchi, and Borno. It will halve post-harvest losses, raise yields to as much as 30 tonnes per hectare, and directly benefit 36,000 farmers. The investment is projected to deliver an internal rate of return (IRR) of 12.5% and a net present value (NPV) of $171 million.
“For cassava, Nigeria is seeking $382 million to boost productivity across 207,000 hectares in Ogun, Oyo, and Anambra. The initiative will support 45,000 farmers directly, set up 375 processing units, and reduce import dependence for starch and high-quality flour. The portfolio shows an IRR of 15.2% and NPV of $187.7 million’’.
The Minister added that ‘’the largest share goes to maize, with a planned investment of $1 billion across 1 million hectares in Katsina, Kaduna, and Oyo. Designed to close Nigeria’s 5 million metric tonne production gap, the programme will benefit over 420,000 farmers’ directly and nearly 3 million people indirectly. The financial outlook indicates an IRR of 18.7% and NPV of $75.6 million.
“The cases are not only profitable but also scalable and regionally significant. Investing in these value chains means investing in food security, jobs, and regional trade under ECOWAS and AfCFTA.’’
Kyari further said that in terms of job creation, “tomato value chain as it is projected. the programme would directly benefit 36,000 farmers and indirectly impact more than 246,000 individuals through job creation and value chain participation.
‘’It will also establish seed multiplication centers for high-quality inputs, clean energy-powered processing plants, including mobile units for rural areas, and stronger national institutions for quality assurance and agricultural research,’’ he added.
He revealed that “investment in the cassava value chain would directly benefit more than 45,000 farmers and indirectly impact over 300,000 individuals through jobs and value chain participation. It will also establish 375 processing units, including mobile facilities, support farmer clusters and cooperatives, and expand access to finance and quality inputs.
‘’By addressing national gaps in high-quality cassava flour and starch, this programme will reduce imports, strengthen food security, and supply industries that rely heavily on cassava derivatives.”
Kyari mentioned that ‘’maize programme will directly benefit more than 420,000 farmers and indirectly impact close to 3 million people. Key interventions include establishing input hubs and one-stop centers for seeds, fertilizers, and extension services; building new processing units for animal feed in poultry and aquaculture; and supporting research institutions for breeder seed development and quality control.’’
The Minister noted that “for investors, the takeaway is clear: maize is a high-volume, high-demand crop with powerful linkages to Nigeria’s livestock and poultry sectors Investing here strengthens food security, supports industrial growth, and positions Nigeria as a regional hub for animal feed.”
