The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has highlighted the importance of agriculture to the national economy, reiterating that Nigeria has the potential to earn more from agriculture than from oil.
Obi argued that Nigeria can conquer food insecurity and has all it takes to benefit more from agriculture, including vast arable land, a favourable climate, and strong human capital.
His remarks followed a visit to Songhai Farms in Cotonou, where he pointed out the results of deliberate planning and integrated farming.
“I supported the adaptation of that model at Masdevan Farm in Urum. Today, the farm is doing remarkably well, not only producing food but also training young farmers and demonstrating how agriculture can become a viable engine of growth,” he said.
Obi stated that Nigeria can feed itself and become a major agricultural exporter, noting that what has been lacking is not potential, but properly formulated policies and disciplined implementation.
He asserted that with the right investment and policy consistency, agriculture can stimulate industries, create jobs, and transform the county’s economy, stressing that Nigeria must act with urgency.
Obi also referenced the Mai Shayi Coffee Farm on the Jos Plateau, emphasising that it stands as another powerful reminder of what is possible.
“Built on a 30-hectare Arabica plantation with integrated processing facilities, it shows how agriculture can move beyond subsistence into value-chain production — creating employment, generating export earnings, reducing poverty, and driving rural development,” he explained.
He added that with the right enabling environment, such models can be replicated across the country and commended the initiators of the Mai Shayi project for demonstrating what focused agricultural investment can achieve.
