By Nkechi Eze
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa Gwabin, has officially unveiled the Defence Farms and Agro-Allied Products logo at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja, today 27th March, 2025, marking a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s food security and economic development.
Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, General Musa emphasized the crucial role of agriculture in national security, noting that food scarcity often leads to instability. He highlighted the challenges posed by climate change, environmental degradation, and conflict, which have threatened food production across the country.
“This initiative is not just about unveiling a logo; it represents our commitment to fostering sustainable food security in Nigeria,” General Musa stated. “A nation must be able to feed its people. Without food, there is crisis, and a hungry population is an unstable one.”
The Defence Farms initiative is in line with the federal government’s broader strategy to address food security challenges. General Musa explained that the Trans-African Council initiated the Agro-Allied Products Initiative in May 2023 to complement the government’s efforts. The project aims to create job opportunities, enhance rural infrastructure, and modernize farming techniques, ultimately boosting national development.
He further emphasized that similar agricultural programs exist within the Nigerian Armed Forces, including the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches, the Navy’s agricultural initiatives, and the Air Force’s food security efforts. He called on all service members to actively participate in expanding these agricultural programs to meet national food production targets.
“With a population exceeding 200 million, Nigeria cannot rely on subsistence farming. We must scale up production to match our needs,” General Musa asserted. “Only through large-scale, modernized farming practices can we ensure sustainable food availability for our people.”
Expressing appreciation, General Musa commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his leadership in national security and economic development, he also acknowledged the contributions of the Ministers of Defence, the National Security Advisor, and other stakeholders who played vital roles in the success of the initiative.
“This marks a new dawn for Nigeria,” he declared.
“I foresee a future where Defence Farms and similar projects will significantly contribute to national food sufficiency, economic stability, and overall security.”
The launch of the Defence Farms and Agro-Allied Products initiative is expected to bolster Nigeria’s agricultural sector, reducing dependence on food imports while ensuring that the armed forces remain self-sufficient in food production.
Earlier in his presentation, Major General Isah Abdullahi, chairman of the Defence Fund and Products Committee, provided further insights into the establishment and strategic impact of the initiative. He outlined the military’s role in agricultural development and its potential contributions to national food security.
Highlighting the historical significance of agriculture in shaping economies, Maj. Gen Abdullahi emphasized how countries like Brazil, Turkey, and Egypt have leveraged military participation to enhance food production. He noted that Nigeria can adopt similar strategies to improve food security and economic stability.
“The Nigerian military’s involvement in agriculture is not unprecedented. Since the establishment of the Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches in 2017, the armed forces have aligned with the Federal Government’s food security agenda while also generating revenue.
The initiative is expected to further this goal through; Direct Involvement which involves providing agricultural training, infrastructure development, and veterinary support for livestock farming, Security and Stability which ensures safety for farmers and agricultural infrastructure, especially in conflict-prone areas, Research and Development with the aim of partnering with research institutions to introduce modern farming techniques and Humanitarian Assistance which has to do with delivering food aid and disaster relief to communities affected by crises.
According to Maj. Gen Abdullahi, the Defence Fund and Agro-Allied Products initiative was designed to address Nigeria’s food security challenges while creating employment opportunities for military personnel, retirees, and civilians. “The Defence Farms and Agro-Allied Products was conceptualized in May 2023 as one of the non-kinetic means of addressing security issues in the country and to also key into the Federal Government of Nigeria’s drive to address food security challenges in Nigeria.
“ In line with wisdom of the Chief of Defence Staff, the Defence Headquarters convened a Committee to work out the modalities for establishing the Defence Farms and Agro-Allied Products.
“ In addition to bolstering food production in the nation, the Defence Farms and Agro-Allied Products initiative is tailored towards building the capacity of Armed Forces of Nigeria personnel in both agriculture and agri-business.
Major General Isah Abdullahi further highlights that to ensure the project’s success, the committee studied agricultural models within Nigeria and abroad, including a visit to a Brazilian agricultural facility to adopt best practices.
“The Committee embarked on a tour to appraise various farms within and outside Nigeria in order to adopt the best suited model for the Defence Farms and Agro-Allied Products.
“In line with these, the Committee visited 4 farms within Nigeria and one farm in Brazil to gain first hand knowledge on how these ventures are organised.
“The farms visited within Nigeria were Malam Alu Integrated Farms located in Jigawa State on 27 Jun 24, Sebore Farm in Yola, Adamawa State on 4 Jul 24, Starcrest Integrated Farms as well as Gurara Hydropower, Agriculture and Tourism Zone (GHATZ) in Jere Area of Kaduna State 25 Jun 24.” He said.
Maj Gen Isah noted that To develop agricultural infrastructure while coordinating agricultural activities of the Services as part of food security agenda in Nigeria is the objective of the Defence Farms and Agro-Allied Products.
Speaking on the Economic Impact and Future Projections, he noted that the Defence Fund and Agro-Allied Products Initiative will integrate crop production, livestock farming, and agro-processing while incorporating tourism and hospitality services for additional revenue. According to him, the pilot phase will commence with 1,000 hectares of farmland, with expansion plans targeting over 400,000 hectares nationwide.
“The initiative is expected to modernize farming techniques, create jobs, and improve food availability. Cost considerations include capital investments in land development, infrastructure, and operational expenses for workforce management.” He said.
Call for Collaboration
Major General Abdullahi called for the Federal Government’s approval of the initiative and urged collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, private investors, and other stakeholders to ensure its success.
The briefing concluded with a presentation showcasing the planned infrastructure, including administrative offices, residential facilities, and production areas. The initiative is poised to play a crucial role in Nigeria’s agricultural transformation and national security strategy.
Highlight of the event was the unveiling of the Defence Farms and Agro-Allied Products Initiative Logo.
