2027 elections: AgricNews Digest urges voters to prioritise agriculture

As preparations for the 2027 general elections gather momentum, AgricNews Digest, an online media platform specialising in the dissemination of agriculture-related information, has urged Nigerians to make agricultural development a key consideration in choosing their political leaders.

The platform called on voters to demand clear and actionable plans from presidential and gubernatorial aspirants on how they intend to transform the agricultural sector, boost food production and ensure national food security.

Stakeholders noted that Nigerian farmers continue to face persistent challenges, including limited access to credit, quality seeds, fertilisers and reliable markets, factors that have contributed to the country’s continued dependence on food imports.

President of the Nigerian Farmers Association, Dr Aisha Umar, stressed the need for leadership with a strong understanding of the sector. She described agriculture as the backbone of the nation’s economy and said only leaders with practical strategies could drive sustainable growth.

Findings from a nationwide survey conducted by AgricNews Digest revealed widespread dissatisfaction among farmers, many of whom believe successive administrations have failed to adequately support the sector. A maize farmer from Plateau State, Joseph Kpanja, said farmers had been neglected for too long despite their contribution to national development.

Although agriculture contributes about 23 per cent to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product, experts said funding and policy support remain insufficient. Executive Director of the Agricultural Policy Research Network, Abubakar Sani, noted that political leaders must match campaign promises with adequate budgetary commitment to the sector.

AgricNews Digest urged voters to closely scrutinise the agricultural agendas of aspirants, focusing on their plans for increasing local food production, supporting smallholder farmers and strengthening agricultural value chains.

The platform warned that Nigeria’s food security largely depends on the quality of leadership elected in 2027, calling on citizens to support candidates who place agriculture at the centre of their development agenda.