FG Launches National Soybean Policy to Boost Food Sovereignty, Economic Growth
The Federal Government has officially launched the National Soybean Production Policy and Strategy, a comprehensive framework aimed at achieving food sovereignty, driving economic diversification, and unlocking the full potential of the soybean value chain.
The policy was unveiled during a high-level event held recently at the Abuja Continental Hotel. Representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, CON, stated that the strategy provides a clear roadmap to boost production, enhance value addition, and expand both domestic and export markets.
According to him, the government targets the cultivation of one million hectares of soybean farmland and the delivery of 460,000 metric tons of soybean grains to the market within two years.
Sen. Kyari emphasized that food security remains a top priority under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that agriculture is at the heart of Nigeria’s economic transformation plan.
He highlighted that Nigia currently produces around 1.35 million metric tons of soybean annually, while the national demand exceeds 2.7 million metric tons—driven by the food, feed, and industrial sectors.
“This supply gap presents a major opportunity to increase production, enhance processing capacity, and generate employment,” he said.
He also stressed the nutritional value of soybean, describing it as an essential crop rich in high-quality protein and amino acids, which are vital in combating malnutrition and improving household diets.
The Minister further noted that Nigeria’s soybeans are naturally non-GMO, a competitive advantage in the global market, where there’s increasing demand for non-genetically modified produce. He added that soybeans are vital to the animal feed industry, with about one-third of local production used in poultry feed, forming up to 25% of the mix.
Calling for coordinated action, Sen. Kyari urged stakeholders to support the Nigerian Soybean Partnership, designed to unify federal and state governments, private sector players, farmers’ cooperatives, and development partners in building a robust, integrated value chain.
In his remarks, the Executive Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, described the National Soybean Expansion Strategy as a bold initiative with the potential to generate N3.9 trillion annually, create one million jobs across 22 states and the FCT, and position Nigeria as a global agricultural leader.
He reaffirmed Benue State’s pivotal role in the effort, citing its legacy as Nigeria’s leading soybean producer since the introduction of the “Malayan” variety in 1937. “Our rich Guinea Savanna and generations of dedicated farmers make Benue the heart of soybean production in Sub-Saharan Africa,” he said.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, said the launch aims to reposition soybean as a strategic crop for food security, industrial development, and export growth.
He commended development partners for their unwavering support, emphasizing that their collaboration reflects the policy’s national significance.
Read Also:
A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Dantata Group and the Benue State Government.
The event was attended by State Commissioners of Agriculture, ministry directors, and representatives from development partners including the Commodity Development Initiative (CDI), Nigeria Soybean Partnership, Expera Global Cooperation, and the National Agricultural Development Fund, among others.
