The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has unveiled a 10-year strategic plan aimed at transforming agricultural land development and strengthening food security across Nigeria, with a target of developing and optimising five million hectares of farmland within the next five years.
The strategy is designed to provide a structured framework for land preparation, irrigation, farm infrastructure and improved agricultural production while encouraging greater private-sector participation in Nigeria’s food system. NALDA’s plan forms part of wider government efforts to expand productive agricultural land and increase domestic food production.
NALDA Targets Five Million Hectares
Under the strategy, NALDA plans to develop five million hectares over the next five years while working towards a broader 10-year land-development objective.
The authority has emphasised that agricultural land development involves more than clearing land. It includes proper preparation of farmland, irrigation systems, infrastructure and the creation of conditions that allow farmers to achieve higher yields.
Consequently, the five-million-hectare target is expected to focus not only on bringing more land into production but also on improving the productivity of existing agricultural areas.
Land Development at the Centre of Food Security
NALDA’s strategy comes as Nigeria continues to pursue measures aimed at strengthening domestic food production and reducing vulnerabilities within the food supply chain.
The authority intends to identify areas suitable for different crops based on production needs and local agricultural conditions.
Moreover, the strategy places emphasis on crops facing significant supply shortages, with suitable locations identified for cultivation.
By matching land resources with agricultural requirements, NALDA expects to improve productivity while supporting a more coordinated approach to food production.
Irrigation and Farm Infrastructure
Irrigation is another major component of the strategy.
Rather than relying solely on rainfall, the authority plans to incorporate irrigation into land-development projects to support more consistent agricultural production.
Farm infrastructure will also form part of the programme, including facilities designed to improve conditions for farmers operating within organised agricultural clusters.
NALDA has previously highlighted plans involving farm hostels and other facilities, alongside security arrangements designed to make farming clusters more viable.
Farmer Clusters to Improve Efficiency
The strategy also places considerable emphasis on organising farmers into clusters.
According to NALDA, clustering farmers can make it easier to provide mechanisation services, distribute agricultural inputs and establish security arrangements.
Furthermore, organised clusters can create opportunities for farmers to access shared infrastructure and services that may be difficult for individual smallholder farmers to obtain independently.
This approach could also support better coordination between farmers, government agencies, financial institutions and private-sector investors.
Private Sector Investment
NALDA is also looking to attract private-sector participation in the implementation of its land-development strategy.
The authority has indicated that partnerships will be important for expanding agricultural production and developing the infrastructure required to make large areas of farmland commercially productive.
Private investment could therefore complement government interventions by bringing additional capital, technology, mechanisation and market connections into agricultural communities.
At the same time, effective partnerships will require clear land arrangements, reliable infrastructure, security and viable markets for farmers.
Security Remains Important
Security is another consideration within the land-development programme.
NALDA has previously disclosed an agreement with the Police Trust Fund aimed at strengthening security around farming clusters.
The authority’s approach reflects the reality that land development alone cannot guarantee increased food production if farmers cannot safely access and cultivate their farms.
Therefore, integrating security into agricultural clusters could become an important part of the wider strategy.
Pilot Projects Underway
The implementation of the strategy has already involved pilot programmes in several states.
NALDA has identified Kwara, Ekiti, Benue, Plateau and Bauchi among locations where pilot activities have commenced, with plans to expand the programme to other parts of the country.
The authority has also been involved in initiatives aimed at opening farmland for displaced Nigerians, including a partnership targeting the development of 150,000 hectares for internally displaced persons.
Under that arrangement, NALDA handles land clearing while other government partners provide agricultural inputs and support for participating communities.
Beyond Land Clearing
The 10-year strategy represents a broader approach to agricultural land development rather than a simple land-clearing exercise.
For NALDA, the objective is to connect land availability with irrigation, mechanisation, infrastructure, security, farmer organisation and access to markets.
That combination is important because unused or underdeveloped agricultural land does not automatically translate into higher food production.
Instead, farmers need access to productive land, appropriate inputs, technology, infrastructure and reliable markets to turn agricultural potential into sustained output.
Supporting Nigeria’s Food Security Goals
The NALDA plan also comes as the Federal Government works on broader long-term strategies for transforming Nigeria’s agrifood system.
In 2026, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security unveiled a 10-year Agrifood System Strategy and Action Plan intended to provide a coordinated framework for agricultural transformation, investment, resilience, food and nutrition security and stronger governance.
NALDA’s focus on land development therefore fits within a wider national effort to improve agricultural productivity and strengthen the country’s food system.
A Long-Term Test of Implementation
The scale of NALDA’s target makes implementation particularly important.
Developing five million hectares within five years will require sustained investment, effective coordination between federal and state authorities, reliable infrastructure, security and continued participation from farmers and private investors.
Ultimately, the success of the strategy will depend not simply on how much land is cleared or allocated, but on how much of that land becomes sustainably productive.
If properly implemented, NALDA’s 10-year strategy could provide a stronger framework for connecting Nigeria’s vast agricultural land resources with farmers, infrastructure, investment and markets.
For an agricultural sector facing pressure from rising production costs, climate-related disruptions and food-security concerns, the five-million-hectare target represents a significant test of the country’s ability to convert land resources into sustained food production and broader agricultural growth.
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