The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has launched a strategic capacity-building initiative to reposition Nigeria’s agricultural sector as a key driver of food security, economic diversification and employment.
The Ministry began a four-day training workshop on the Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) Approach for its officers in Abuja on Monday.
SHEP is designed to shift smallholder farmers’ mindset from subsistence production “grow and sell” to commercial thinking “grow to sell,” emphasising market surveys, gender partnership and business linkage development to enhance farm incomes and expand market access.
The approach has doubled incomes for targeted smallholder farmers in other markets, such as Kenya, where it was first implemented, according to evaluations by the Food and Agriculture Organisation and partner agencies.
Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of FMAFS, said the training supports the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu by promoting sustainable food security and poverty reduction through inclusive agricultural growth.
“The SHEP approach transforms farmers into agribusiness entrepreneurs, building both technical skills and market intelligence,” Ogunbiyi said, adding that the programme forms part of the ministry’s investment in human capital and service delivery.
The capacity-building programme includes modules on improved agricultural practices, modern extension methodologies, climate-smart farming, contract farming and enhanced monitoring and evaluation systems.
These areas, he said, are expected to support year-round crop production, address food shortages and stimulate employment opportunities.
Ogunbiyi urged participants to convert learned skills into measurable service improvements for Nigeria’s farming communities, reinforcing the ministry’s commitment to agribusiness development.
Representatives of SPRiNG LEAD, a research and evidence partner, reaffirmed their support for strengthening extension services, data systems and policy formulation across the agricultural ecosystem.
The training aligns with broader sector efforts to expand market-oriented agriculture.
Agriculture contributes more than 25% to Nigeria’s GDP, with smallholders at the centre of crop production, according to recent industry data.
