The All Farmers Association of Nigeria has called on farmers nationwide to support President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural transformation agenda to unlock the country’s agricultural potential and boost food production.

The AFAN President, Farouk Mudi, made the call while addressing a press conference in Kano on Tuesday.

He said the appeal was necessary in view of the Federal Government’s efforts to secure farmlands previously occupied by bandits in parts of the country, noting that the development had brought relief to many farmers through coordinated security measures.

“Nigeria is blessed with over 70 million hectares of farmlands in which some ungoverned spaces have hitherto been occupied by unfriendly enemies over time.

“Although the previous administration made serious efforts to reclaim those spaces, upon assumption of office, the determination of the present administration to secure those farmlands has been responsible for relief for many farmers arising from coordinated efforts of the security architecture being put in place by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

Mudi noted that the partnership between the Ministry of Defence and AFAN had become a game changer for farmers, as many were returning to their farmlands while efforts were also being made to return internally displaced persons to their communities.

“This approach is commendable and in appreciation, General Christopher Gwabin Musa was conferred with the title of Patron of AFAN recently, which was widely celebrated in Abuja,” he said.

He explained that the partnership between AFAN and the Federal Ministry of Defence had facilitated an agricultural study tour to Brazil for some of the association’s executives, where they participated in the annual Cotrijal trade exhibition.

“The aim is to identify innovations on how to help our farmers go back to the farm, and develop more creative ways in helping those in IDP camps,” Mudi said.

He disclosed that AFAN would host the Nigerian-Brazilian International Agric Exhibition in collaboration with the Kano State Government and the Kano State Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture in November 2026.

He said the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Livestock Development, Industry, Trade and Investment, and Foreign Affairs were collaborating on the initiative aimed at transforming Nigeria’s agriculture and livestock sectors from subsistence farming to mechanised agriculture.

According to him, the initiative would help position Nigeria as a major agricultural hub in the West African sub-region.

Mudi said AFAN would continue to welcome ideas and innovations capable of supporting smallholder farmers and increasing food production across the country.

“With the efforts of various state governments through agricultural extension services, AFAN will make sure that the vision of the present administration in addressing food security shall be a success.

“I also want to use this medium to thank Mr President for the establishment of the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Food Security, Livestock Development, Blue Economy and funding of NAGS-AP Project, the Nigerian Agricultural Development Fund, Bank of Agriculture, which if well managed, will transform our agric sector immensely,” he said.