The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Lagos State Chapter, has lauded the Federal Government’s approval of 57 crop varieties to strengthen agricultural productivity in the country.
The Lagos State AFAN Chairman, Mr. Sakin Agbayewa, disclosed this in an interview on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, in Lagos.
In March 2026, the Nigerian Federal Government approved 57 new improved crop varieties to boost food security, improve nutrition, and strengthen agricultural productivity.
The crops, selected for early maturity, higher yields, and resistance to pests and diseases, include 14 different types of staples, with notable advancements in rice, maize, yam, soybean, and plantain.
Agbayewa noted that the approval of the crop varieties would help improve the yields of farmers in the state.
“We are excited to hear about the 57 new varieties of crops recently approved.
“What we desire currently in crop farming is not just about planting, it is about increased yield.
“A farmer can have a plot of land and have a high yield and another can have big plots of land and have a low yield.
“So, if when are talking about food security, it starts from the varieties you are planting and it starts from the seedlings.
“Improved seed varieties as well as improved seedlings will always give you higher yield on minimal land.
“You can barely imagine the higher yield farmers with larger land size will get with an improved seedling varieties,” Agbayewa said.
He described the introduction of the crops as a new development for crop cultivation.
“So, for us as an association, the introduction of the 57 crop is a good development for crop cultivation.
“It will help to curb the food insecurity we are talking about and shortage of food in the near future. It is a good one.
“This newly approved 57 crop varieties should however be popularised among local farmers because not everyone is aware of this latest development.
“There are a lot of issues currently affecting the cultivation of crops and the development of improved crop varieties will help the farmer’s productivity.
“Issues such as climate change effects, inconsistent rainfall patterns and weather clash among others are affecting farmers’ yield.
“So, what we want now is to have improved crop varieties that will give us higher yield,” he said.
Agbayewa said there should be massive advocacy of the approved crop varieties across the board for farmers.
“There should be a massive advocacy of the approved crop varieties across the board so that our farmers will be able to eat from their sweat and at the same time save the nation.
“We are excited that this new crop varieties was done in Nigeria and not by foreigners. It shows that our researchers are now waking up.
“The government is now waking up to their responsibility.
“So, we are now growing our own and eating our own varieties, which is good. And we are calling for more research like this to be done.
“With more research done, we will no longer be scared of genetically modified crops that will affect our people,” he said.
In a related development, stakeholders in Anambra State have said that effective implementation of climate-smart agriculture and bamboo development strategies could generate over 20,000 jobs for youths and significantly boost the state’s economy.
The stakeholders made the assertion at a sensitisation programme held at Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra on Wednesday.
The programme, themed “Sowing Seeds, Growing Future,” was organised by the Nigeria Youth Parliament in collaboration with the Sahelian Institute for Bamboo Research and Entrepreneurial Development (SIBRED).
Delivering the keynote address, former Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Forster Ihejiofor, said a structured investment in bamboo and climate-smart agriculture could transform rural economies and tackle environmental challenges.
According to Ihejiofor, climate-smart agriculture rests on three pillars – productivity enhancement, climate adaptation and mitigation.
He proposed a phased implementation roadmap from 2026 to 2030, including statewide awareness campaigns, pilot youth demonstration farms and establishment of bamboo plantation clusters across the three senatorial zones in the state.
“If fully implemented, this initiative will reduce erosion impact across vulnerable communities, create more than 20,000 youth jobs, improve food security and raise rural incomes.
“It will also strengthen the state’s internally generated revenue through value chain development and export opportunities
“Bamboo is ‘Anambra’s green gold’, with wide applications ranging from erosion control and land restoration to construction, furniture, renewable energy and international trade.
“The opportunities in bamboo alone can reposition the state economically while addressing pressing environmental concerns,” he said.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, represented by Prof. Kingsley Ubaoji, said the initiative aligned with efforts to rekindle youth interest in agriculture.
He emphasised the need for government and stakeholders to invest in the sector to reduce dependence on imported food.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Anambra Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Uzoka, called for stronger commitment to organic farming to promote healthy living.
Uzoka warned against harmful practices in food processing, such as the use of detergents in cassava and dye in palm oil, urging stakeholders to prioritise agriculture in their community development plans.
She also highlighted a proposed Public-Private-Community Partnership initiative with Honda Agro and Power Products to support farmers, encouraging participants to leverage the opportunity.
Earlier, Mr. Chibuike Obiwuzie, lawmaker representing Anambra South in the Nigeria Youth Parliament, said the programme was designed to empower youths in the zone to take advantage of opportunities in agriculture.
Another speaker, Dr John Ogbodo, Director of SIBRED, underscored the importance of youth engagement in bamboo entrepreneurship.
The event featured a field demonstration of Honda Motorised Back Sprayer and Tiller equipment.
By Mercy Omoike and Lucy Osuizigbo-Okechukwu