FG targets 1m hectares of soybean cultivation

The Federal Government has unveiled plans to cultivate one million hectares of farmland and produce 460,000 metric tonnes of soybeans within two years as part of a broader strategy to boost food security, reduce import dependence, and position Nigeria as a key player in the global soybean market.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced this at the launch of the National Soybean Production Expansion Policy and Strategy on Tuesday. He noted that it is more than a policy; it is about planting the seeds of a food-secure and globally competitive Nigeria.

“Our target is to cultivate 1 million hectares of farmland and deliver 460,000 metric tons of soybean grain to the market within two years,” he announced.

The minister added that despite producing about 1.35 million metric tons of soybeans annually, Nigeria’s demand has surged beyond 2.7 million metric tons, driven by the expanding food, feed, and industrial sectors. This shortfall, the Minister noted, represents both a challenge and a significant opportunity.

“This supply gap is both a challenge and an opportunity to expand production, strengthen processing capacity, and create jobs,” he added.

Underscoring soybeans’ dual importance as an economic and nutritional commodity, the minister said, “Soybean is a nutritional powerhouse, containing about 40 per cent high-quality protein and essential amino acids, making it crucial in the fight against malnutrition and in improving household diets.”

He said, “Nigeria’s soybeans are naturally non-GMO, giving us a comparative advantage in premium markets where demand for non-GMO products continues to rise.” The minister also detailed the crop’s vital contribution to local industries.

“Its role at home is equally vital, serving as the backbone of our animal feed industry, with roughly one-third of Nigeria’s soybean production going into poultry feed, where it constitutes about 20–25 per cent of the feed mix. By boosting local production, we reduce reliance on imported feed ingredients, fortify our poultry and aquaculture industries, and build a more resilient, self-sufficient food system, one that feeds our people while opening doors to global markets,” he said

He stressed that these ambitions require more than just plans; they demand deliberate and collaborative execution.

“Achieving these ambitious targets requires more than plans. It demands a supportive ecosystem driven by effective governance. The role of government is to create an enabling environment for growth. Through supportive policies, strategic collaboration, and targeted interventions, we aim to strengthen the soybean value chain and make it more competitive,” he said.

Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, who also spoke at the event, described the policy launch as “not merely to inaugurate a policy, but to ignite a national transformation that promises prosperity, resilience, and hope for millions.”

He added that the national strategy aims to generate N3.9 trillion in annual revenue, create one million jobs across 22 states and the FCT, and transform Nigeria into a global agricultural powerhouse.

He declared Benue the “linchpin of this vision,” noting the state’s historical leadership in soybean production since the introduction of the ‘Malayan’ variety in 1937.

“From exporting 9 tons in 1947 to producing over 15,000 tons by the 1960s, Benue has set benchmarks for excellence,” he said. “Today, we cultivate a substantial share of Nigeria’s 780,000 hectares of soybeans and produce a significant portion of the nation’s 758,000 metric tons annually. Yet, our greatest achievements are still ahead.

“With these initiatives, Benue will double our soybean output from 202,000 to at least 400,000 tons in three years, contribute more than 400,000 metric tons to national production annually, generate billions in new revenue and support Nigeria’s N3.9 trillion industry target, empower tens of thousands of households, and create a sustainable agricultural legacy,” he said.

Alia noted that over 200,000 farmers will be reached in the next three years with high-yielding, disease-resistant seeds. “Our Soybean Seed Multiplication and Distribution Programme will improve average yields from 1.2 to up to 3 metric tons per hectare.

“We are deploying extension officers and introducing mechanisation clusters, training our farmers in best practices and climate-smart agriculture,” he said.