Nigeria, Spain Explore Agricultural Partnership To Boost Food Production, Cut Losses

By Omoyeni Ojeifo

Nigeria’s drive to improve food security and create jobs for its growing youth population is pushing the government to seek Spanish technology and investment to boost agricultural production and cut food losses.

Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Spain, raised the issue during a meeting with Spain’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas Puchades, in Madrid on Thursday.

Details of the meeting were contained in a statement emailed to PerSecondNews on Friday by the Embassy of Nigeria in Madrid, Spain.

According to Ikpeazu, the increased agricultural production remained a priority of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, given Nigeria’s large youth population and the vast potential of the agricultural value chain.

He noted that fully utilising the sector’s potential would strengthen food security, create employment opportunities and help address the challenge of irregular migration in Africa.

The Ambassador also highlighted Nigeria’s interest in Spain’s expertise in improved seedling production, livestock development and food preservation, particularly in addressing losses caused by inadequate preservation facilities and transportation networks.

He cited the operations of GB Foods in Kebbi and Ogun States, where improved seedlings have reportedly increased tomato yields from 10 tonnes to more than 60 tonnes per hectare.

Ikpeazu expressed Nigeria’s readiness to deepen collaboration with Spain in animal production, with the aim of expanding output for domestic consumption and export.

In his response, Luis Planas Spanish Minister, said Spain’s experience in crop disease prevention, improved seedlings, food preservation and consumption strategies could support increased agricultural production in Nigeria.

He noted that Nigeria’s more than 40 per cent arable land presents significant opportunities for food production and value-chain development.

Planas also highlighted Spain’s efforts to reduce food losses, noting that innovative technologies contributed to a 20 per cent reduction in 2025, with further preventive measures being implemented.

Both sides agreed that closer collaboration, technology transfer and investment promotion could deepen agricultural cooperation and further strengthen relations between Nigeria and Spain.