The Federal Government has unveiled an ambitious plan to cultivate one million hectares of farmland and produce 460,000 metric tons of soybeans within two years—part of a broader drive to strengthen food security, cut import dependence, and position Nigeria as a leading player in the global soybean market.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced the plan on Tuesday at the launch of the National Soybean Production Expansion Policy and Strategy.

“This goes beyond policy,” Kyari said. “It is about planting the seeds of a food-secure and globally competitive Nigeria. Our target is to cultivate one million hectares of farmland and deliver 460,000 metric tons of soybean grain to the market within two years.”

Kyari explained that Nigeria currently produces around 1.35 million metric tons of soybeans annually, while domestic demand has surged past 2.7 million metric tons, driven by rapid growth in food, feed, and industrial sectors.

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

Highlighting soybeans as both an economic and nutritional powerhouse, Kyari said:

“Soybean contains about 40 percent high-quality protein and essential amino acids, making it crucial in tackling malnutrition and improving household diets. Nigeria’s soybeans are naturally non-GMO, giving us a competitive edge in premium markets where demand for non-GMO products is rising.”

He stressed soybeans’ critical role in local industries, particularly animal feed, where about one-third of Nigeria’s production goes into poultry feed, comprising 20–25 percent of the mix.

“By boosting local production, we reduce reliance on imported feed ingredients, strengthen our poultry and aquaculture industries, and build a more resilient, self-sufficient food system that feeds our people while opening doors to global markets,” Kyari said.

He added that meeting these targets demands more than good intentions:

“Achieving these goals requires deliberate, collaborative execution. Through supportive policies, strategic collaboration, and targeted interventions, we will strengthen the soybean value chain and make it truly competitive.”

Benue at the Heart of the Push

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia, speaking at the event, described the launch as a turning point:

“This is not merely to inaugurate a policy, but to ignite a national transformation that promises prosperity, resilience, and hope for millions.”

According to Alia, the national strategy aims to generate ₦3.9 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 State the “linchpin of this vision,” citing its historic leadership in soybean cultivation 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,” Alia said. “Today we cultivate a significant share of Nigeria’s 780,000 hectares of soybeans and contribute heavily to the nation’s 758,000 metric tons annually. Yet our greatest achievements are still ahead.”

Alia projected that with ongoing initiatives, Benue would double its soybean output from 202,000 to at least 400,000 tons within three years, adding significant value to the national target while empowering thousands of households.

Over the next three years, more than 200,000 farmers in Benue will gain access to high-yield, disease-resistant seeds.

“Our Soybean Seed Multiplication and Distribution Programme will raise average yields from 1.2 to up to 3 metric tons per hectare. We’re deploying extension officers, creating mechanisation clusters, and training farmers in best practices and climate-smart agriculture,” Alia explained.

Benue’s Open Farmland Initiative will unlock 30,000 new hectares through public-private partnerships and investor-friendly incentives to drive large-scale commercial production.

The state’s flagship Benue Food City Complex is set to process at least 50,000 metric tons of soybeans annually, supported by new silos, aggregation centres, and digital tracking systems to minimise post-harvest losses and stabilise prices.

“We are developing new silos and aggregation centres with export partnerships and quality certification that will open regional and BRICS+ markets to Benue soybeans,” Alia said.

He added that these efforts would generate over 100,000 jobs across farming, logistics, processing, and trade:

“Our young, ambitious, and industrious population will benefit directly. The expected net income for our farmers stands at nearly ₦40,000 per hectare.”