The Federal Government, Commodities Development Initiative (CDI) have validated the National Soybean Expansion Strategy aimed to boost soybean production in Nigeria with additional 460,000 metric tonnes.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Sen. Abubakar Kyari, while speaking at a Validation Workshop for the National Soybean Expansion Strategy yesterday in Abuja said the ministry focused on value chain development that is private sector-driven, food security and export-oriented.

He however directed relevant departments within the ministry to integrate the strategy into national planning frameworks and to align soybean expansion with broader agro-industrial policies.

Kyari who represented by Mr Ibrahim Alkali, Senior Technical Adviser said the ministry would provide the necessary policy and institutional support to drive the expansion forward.

He emphasised that “we must treat soybean as a strategic commodity. It is critical for nutrition, livestock feed, and foreign exchange. I am pleased with the direction this strategy is taking. Let us ensure implementation is private sector-led but fully supported by government.”

The Managing Director of the Commodities Development Initiative (CDI), Mr. Roland Oroh, said the aim of the validated was to boost Nigeria’s soybean production by an additional 460,000 metric tonnes.

Emphasising the collaborative nature of the strategy, he said this initiative can only be achieved through a coordinated approach that focuses on enhancing production and productivity, expanding acreage, improving processing and unlocking market access both locally and for export.

Oroh identified the soybean strategy as an action tool designed with farmers, processors, exporters, investors and government actors.

Highpoints of the workshop was the signing of public-private partnership framework under the Nigeria Soybean Partnership by stakeholder-led coalition tasked with implementing the expansion strategy and coordinating interventions across the soybean value chain.

Oroh explained that the partnership would mobilise investments, strengthen farmer linkages, support agro-industrial processing, and position Nigeria as a competitive origin for non-GMO soybeans.

The workshop was convened by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in collaboration with CDI, National Soybean Association of Nigeria, Oil Seed Processors Association of Nigeria and the Dawanu Market Development Association.