The Federal Government on Tuesday launched the National Soybean Production Expansion Policy and Strategy aimed at cultivating one million hectares of farmland and producing 460,000 metric tons of soybeans over the next two years.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, who unveiled the policy in Abuja, described it as a bold intervention to bridge Nigeria’s widening supply-demand gap, strengthen agro-industrial productivity, and reduce import dependence.
“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 announced.
He explained that while Nigeria currently produces approximately 1.35 million metric tons of soybeans annually, national demand now exceeds 2.7 million metric tons, fuelled by the growing needs of the food processing, livestock feed, and manufacturing industries.
“This supply gap is both a challenge and an opportunity,” the Minister said. “It is an opportunity to expand production, strengthen processing capacity, and create jobs.”
Kyari emphasised the strategic value of soybean not only as an economic asset but as a nutritional lifeline. “Soybean is a nutritional powerhouse,” he noted. “It contains about 40 per cent high-quality protein and essential amino acids, making it crucial in the fight against malnutrition and in improving household diets.”
He added that Nigeria’s soybeans are naturally non-GMO, giving the country a distinct edge in premium global markets with rising demand for non-genetically modified products.
Kyari further highlighted the commodity’s importance to local industries, particularly livestock. “Its role at home is equally vital, serving as the backbone of our animal feed industry. Roughly one-third of our soybean production goes into poultry feed, where it constitutes 20–25 per cent of the mix,” he said. The Minister stated that increased local production would reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported feed ingredients, strengthen domestic poultry and aquaculture systems, and lay the foundation for a more resilient and export-ready food system. “Achieving these ambitious targets requires more than plans. It demands a supportive ecosystem driven by effective governance,” Kyari said. “The role of government is to create an enabling environment for growth.” Speaking at the event, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, declared Benue the “linchpin” of the initiative and pledged his state’s full commitment to scaling up soybean production. He said, “This policy launch is not merely to inaugurate a policy, but to ignite a national transformation that promises prosperity, resilience, and hope for millions.”
Governor Alia revealed that Benue, historically a leading producer of soybeans, aims to double its current output from 202,000 metric tons to over 400,000 metric tons within three years. “From exporting nine tons in 1947 to producing over 15,000 tons by the 1960s, Benue has set benchmarks for excellence,” he said. “Today, we cultivate a substantial share of Nigeria’s 780,000 hectares and produce a significant portion of the nation’s 758,000 metric tons annually.” Alia disclosed that more than 200,000 farmers in Benue would be engaged over the next three years through the state’s Soybean Seed Multiplication and Distribution Programme.
“We will improve yields from 1.2 to up to three metric tons per hectare,” he said. “Extension officers, mechanisation clusters, and training in climate-smart agriculture will be deployed to achieve this.” He also announced that Benue’s open farmland initiative would unlock 30,000 additional hectares for soybean cultivation through public-private partnerships and investor-friendly incentives. “Our model encourages commercial-scale production with secured land aggregation and investment guarantees,” Alia said. He noted that the state’s flagship Benue Food City Complex will process over 50,000 metric tons of soybeans annually. Additional investments in silos and aggregation centres equipped with digital tracking and export certification will reduce post-harvest losses and stabilise market prices. “New silos, aggregation centres, and digital monitoring systems will open up regional and BRICS+ markets to Benue soybeans,” he added. Alia projected that over 100,000 jobs would be created along the soybean value chain through farming, logistics, processing, and trade, with average net income per hectare for farmers expected to reach nearly ₦40,000.
“This supply gap is both a challenge and an opportunity,” the Minister said. “It is an opportunity to expand production, strengthen processing capacity, and create jobs.”
Kyari emphasised the strategic value of soybean not only as an economic asset but as a nutritional lifeline. “Soybean is a nutritional powerhouse,” he noted. “It contains about 40 per cent high-quality protein and essential amino acids, making it crucial in the fight against malnutrition and in improving household diets.”
He added that Nigeria’s soybeans are naturally non-GMO, giving the country a distinct edge in premium global markets with rising demand for non-genetically modified products.
Kyari further highlighted the commodity’s importance to local industries, particularly livestock. “Its role at home is equally vital, serving as the backbone of our animal feed industry. Roughly one-third of our soybean production goes into poultry feed, where it constitutes 20–25 per cent of the mix,” he said. The Minister stated that increased local production would reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported feed ingredients, strengthen domestic poultry and aquaculture systems, and lay the foundation for a more resilient and export-ready food system. “Achieving these ambitious targets requires more than plans. It demands a supportive ecosystem driven by effective governance,” Kyari said. “The role of government is to create an enabling environment for growth.” Speaking at the event, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, declared Benue the “linchpin” of the initiative and pledged his state’s full commitment to scaling up soybean production. He said, “This policy launch is not merely to inaugurate a policy, but to ignite a national transformation that promises prosperity, resilience, and hope for millions.”
Governor Alia revealed that Benue, historically a leading producer of soybeans, aims to double its current output from 202,000 metric tons to over 400,000 metric tons within three years. “From exporting nine tons in 1947 to producing over 15,000 tons by the 1960s, Benue has set benchmarks for excellence,” he said. “Today, we cultivate a substantial share of Nigeria’s 780,000 hectares and produce a significant portion of the nation’s 758,000 metric tons annually.” Alia disclosed that more than 200,000 farmers in Benue would be engaged over the next three years through the state’s Soybean Seed Multiplication and Distribution Programme.
“We will improve yields from 1.2 to up to three metric tons per hectare,” he said. “Extension officers, mechanisation clusters, and training in climate-smart agriculture will be deployed to achieve this.” He also announced that Benue’s open farmland initiative would unlock 30,000 additional hectares for soybean cultivation through public-private partnerships and investor-friendly incentives. “Our model encourages commercial-scale production with secured land aggregation and investment guarantees,” Alia said. He noted that the state’s flagship Benue Food City Complex will process over 50,000 metric tons of soybeans annually. Additional investments in silos and aggregation centres equipped with digital tracking and export certification will reduce post-harvest losses and stabilise market prices. “New silos, aggregation centres, and digital monitoring systems will open up regional and BRICS+ markets to Benue soybeans,” he added. Alia projected that over 100,000 jobs would be created along the soybean value chain through farming, logistics, processing, and trade, with average net income per hectare for farmers expected to reach nearly ₦40,000.
“This is a generational opportunity to transform agriculture into a true engine of inclusive growth,” he said.
