By Chinedu Echianu
The Minister of Labour and Employment, Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, has called for a shift from subsistence farming to commercial agriculture and agro-processing, saying the development of agricultural value chains could unlock thousands of jobs and boost sustainable employment in Nigeria.
Dingyadi said the country must move beyond increasing agricultural production to developing an integrated value chain covering processing, storage, packaging, transportation, distribution and access to local and international markets.
The minister made the call on Tuesday in Abuja at the 14th meeting of the National Employment Council (NEC), where stakeholders examined strategies for strengthening agricultural value chains as a means of tackling unemployment and expanding economic opportunities.
Established in 2018, the NEC is a Federal Government policy coordination body responsible for promoting employment generation and coordinating the implementation of Nigeria’s National Employment Policy. Its activities also fall within the framework of the Strengthening Employment and Employability Systems in Nigeria (SEESIN) Project, spearheaded by the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The minister warned that increased agricultural production without adequate storage facilities, processing capacity, market access and efficient distribution systems could result in significant post-harvest losses, reduced earnings for farmers and limited employment opportunities.
He called for greater investment in agro-processing and agribusiness development through support for small and medium-scale enterprises, improved access to finance and technology, increased private-sector participation and stronger market linkages.
Dingyadi also emphasised the need to equip Nigerians with the technical, entrepreneurial and digital skills required to take advantage of emerging opportunities in modern agriculture.
He identified mechanised farming, irrigation, food processing, agricultural technology, quality assurance, logistics and supply-chain management as critical areas requiring skilled manpower.
The minister further urged stakeholders to encourage greater participation of young people and women in agricultural enterprises, stressing that agriculture should be repositioned as a viable commercial venture capable of generating wealth and decent employment.
