The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, has said that Nigeria is entering a decisive phase in its agricultural transformation, driven by the integration of traceability systems and geospatial intelligence to meet global market standards.
He made this known during the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Abuja.
Senator Kyari stated that the new partnership reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to deploying advanced geospatial technologies to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and strengthen the country’s position in international trade.
Speaking on the initiative’s framework, the Minister explained that the white paper produced for the programme offers a clear roadmap for aligning Nigeria’s agricultural sector with international benchmarks.
He added that the MoU establishes the foundation for a coordinated national food security architecture that is transparent, credible, environmentally responsible, and globally respected.
According to him, NASRDA will provide satellite imagery, real-time monitoring, and technical expertise critical to the full deployment of the traceability and intelligence system, needed to boost output in the Agricultural sector.
He reaffirmed that the Ministry is determined to build an inclusive agricultural ecosystem that protects farmers’ livelihoods, withstands global shocks, and leverages technology to create a competitive and economically vibrant sector.
Senator Kyari commended the Director General of NASRDA, Dr Matthew Adepoju for his dedication and forward-looking contributions to national development.
Earlier in his remarks, the Director General and Chief Executive of NASRDA, Dr. Matthew Adepoju, stated that Nigeria’s investments in space technology are propelled by the need to enhance food security, infrastructure development, and national resilience.
He emphasized that many national challenges require space-based solutions, stating that NASRDA remains a strategic partner to the Ministry, particularly through its support to the ACReSAL programme.
Dr. Adepoju also recalled the Agency’s collaboration with the Central Bank of Nigeria on the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, where satellite data was used to verify genuine farmers, detect fraudulent registrations, and monitor crop performance.
He urged the Minister to support the establishment of a national agricultural satellite constellation, noting that NASRDA’s capacity to produce 40 years of nationwide geospatial mapping would enable the Ministry to identify abandoned farmlands and restore inactive agricultural zones.
The NASRDA boss assured that with the signing of the MoU, the Agency will continue to provide full technical backing to the Ministry’s programmes and national agricultural growth objectives.
Below are pictures from the signing.
Reporter: Chado Joel
Editor: Joy Opaluwa
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