The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has unveiled a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan (2025–2034) aimed at cultivating 10 million hectares of land to significantly boost Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and ensure long-term food security.
The plan was disclosed by NALDA’s Executive Secretary, who emphasized that this transformative initiative aligns with the federal government’s broader agenda to diversify the economy and reduce dependence on food imports. The program will focus on the efficient use of Nigeria’s arable land, targeting high-impact, scalable agricultural development across all geopolitical zones.
Strategic Objectives
Under the strategic plan, NALDA will:
- Identify and develop 10 million hectares of suitable farmland across the country.
- Promote mechanized farming and deploy climate-smart agriculture practices.
- Empower youth and women through land access, training, and support services.
- Collaborate with state governments, private investors, and development partners to fund and sustain agricultural clusters.
- Enhance agricultural value chains, focusing on food crops, livestock, and agro-processing.
Boosting Food Security and Job Creation
The agency said the project would serve as a catalyst for Nigeria’s food self-sufficiency, noting that increasing the nation’s cultivated land area would help meet domestic food demand, lower food prices, and reduce the pressure on foreign exchange used for food imports.
In addition to addressing hunger and malnutrition, the plan is also expected to create millions of direct and indirect jobs through on-farm and off-farm activities. These include land clearing, planting, harvesting, storage, transportation, marketing, and agro-processing.
Partnerships and Implementation
NALDA will work in collaboration with:
- State governments to access and allocate land.
- Financial institutions for credit facilities and long-term investment.
- International development agencies for technical support and co-funding.
- Agricultural research institutions to integrate innovation and improve yield outcomes.
Each year of the plan has clearly defined milestones focused on land acquisition, infrastructure development (such as irrigation systems), farmer engagement, and market integration.
Supporting National Economic Stability
With Nigeria’s population projected to exceed 250 million by 2035, the need for a secure and stable food supply is critical. NALDA’s 10-year plan directly supports the federal government’s objectives for economic stability, poverty reduction, and rural development, while also contributing to global goals such as the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2—zero hunger.
The Executive Secretary called on all stakeholders, including local communities, agripreneurs, and investors, to support the vision of building a sustainable, inclusive, and commercially viable agricultural sector.
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