Nigerian farmers to export potentials at 2026 agric expo

The organisers of Farmfatech Expo 2026 have called for increased investment in local manufacturing, agricultural mechanisation, structured financing and post-harvest management to accelerate agricultural industrialisation and boost Nigeria’s economic growth.

They said Nigeria must move beyond food production to building an integrated agricultural economy capable of creating jobs, attracting investments, reducing post-harvest losses and improving the competitiveness of locally produced agricultural commodities in domestic and international markets.

The organisers made the call during a press conference to announce the third edition of the Farm, Food and Allied Technologies Expo, scheduled to hold from November 9 to 11, 2026, at 21 Arena, Arts and Crafts Marketplace, beside Abuja Continental Hotel, Central Business District, Abuja.

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Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Autodex Nigeria Limited and Chairman of the Farmfatech Expo 2026 Organising Committee, Hon. Dr Nnamdi Ezeani, said the expo was designed to bring together key stakeholders to develop practical solutions to the challenges limiting the growth of Nigeria’s agricultural sector.

Ezeani said the theme of the 2026 agric expo, “Driving Agricultural Industrialisation: Local Manufacturing, Technology Transfer, Finance and Export for Africa’s Prosperity,” reflected the urgent need to transform agriculture into a major driver of industrialisation and national development.

He said Nigeria needed to strengthen mechanisation, irrigation, modern processing, drying, storage, cold-chain infrastructure and logistics to reduce post-harvest losses and improve the quality of agricultural products.

According to him, access to structured financing remains critical to unlocking the sector’s economic potential, noting that farmers and agribusinesses require financing arrangements that connect production with machinery, markets, processing facilities and reliable off-take agreements.

“Without this, agricultural potential cannot be fully converted into economic prosperity,” he said.

Ezeani explained that the 2026 agric expo would provide a platform for government representatives, financial institutions, investors, manufacturers, farmers, technology providers and development partners to collaborate on practical interventions for the agricultural sector.

He added that the expo would promote agricultural clusters, improve farm security, strengthen farmer certification and product traceability, and encourage the adoption of standardised logistics and cold-chain systems.

The organising committee chairman urged the media to help communicate the importance of agricultural industrialisation, stressing that agriculture should be viewed beyond food production.

“We invite the media to help communicate this message nationally: agriculture is not merely about food production; it is an engine for industrialisation, employment, investment, export growth and national development,” he said.

He said the organisers were committed to moving the conversation from discussions to partnerships, and from partnerships to investments capable of delivering measurable benefits to farmers and agribusinesses.

Also speaking, the Managing Director of Autodex Nigeria Limited and lead creator of Farmfatech, Prince Tony Ifeakandu, said Nigeria’s agricultural challenge was not simply how to produce more food but how to preserve, process and convert agricultural produce into commercially viable products.

Ifeakandu identified post-harvest losses as a major economic concern and an opportunity for increasing agricultural value addition, saying investments in preservation, processing and export could generate significant economic benefits.

He emphasised the importance of modern drying systems, storage infrastructure, cold-chain development, efficient transportation and improved market access in reducing losses and ensuring that agricultural products meet the requirements of domestic and international markets.

According to him, the value that could be recovered by preserving and processing produce currently lost after harvest highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to agricultural development.

He, however, noted that claims about the potential economic impact of reducing post-harvest losses must be supported by credible data to establish their actual contribution to national output.

On financing, Ifeakandu said farmers, cooperatives and agribusinesses needed appropriate funding models that would support the entire agricultural value chain, from production and mechanisation to irrigation, processing, storage and export.

He explained that Farmfatech would facilitate discussions on financing solutions capable of reducing investment risks, attracting private capital and supporting commercially sustainable agricultural clusters.

The expo will also focus on expanding access to locally manufactured agricultural machinery, improving irrigation systems, strengthening farmer identification and product traceability, and aligning agricultural production with recognised quality standards.

Ifeakandu said improved coordination among policymakers, financial institutions, investors, manufacturers, development partners and security stakeholders was necessary to create an enabling environment for agricultural investment and sustainable production.

He added that strengthening agricultural clusters and addressing farmers’ security concerns would be important to improving productivity, attracting investment and ensuring consistent supplies for processing industries and export markets.

The organisers said the three-day event would provide opportunities for stakeholders to explore partnerships and investment opportunities aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural ecosystem.

They called on the public and private sectors, development partners, financial institutions, farmers and other agricultural stakeholders to participate in the expo and contribute to efforts to build a more productive, competitive and commercially sustainable agricultural sector.

They said the central objective of Farmfatech Expo 2026 was to move Nigeria’s agricultural sector from discussions about its potential to practical collaboration, increased investment, and measurable economic outcomes.