The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to establish a national framework for agricultural produce traceability, farmland monitoring and deforestation-free supply chain verification, to safeguard Nigeria’s position in the global agricultural market.
The agreement also followed the official unveiling of a White Paper detailing Nigeria’s strategy for complying with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a new policy that requires exported agricultural commodities to be fully traceable, legally produced and verifiably free from deforestation.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, described the initiative as both strategic and symbolic, stating that it provides Nigeria with critical systems necessary to remain competitive internationally while also strengthening environmental protection.
“It is strategic because it equips Nigeria with the systems required to remain competitive in global markets”.
“It is symbolic because it represents our collective resolve to protect our farmers, modernise our value chains and build an agricultural sector that stands strong on the global stage,” Kyari said.
He added that President Bola Tinubu has positioned agriculture as a key driver of the nation’s economic renewal, stability and inclusive growth.
According to the minister, the MoU lays the foundation for a national traceability and environmental monitoring architecture that will support sustainable farming practices and boost investor confidence.
Under the agreement, NASRDA will provide satellite imagery, real-time monitoring and technical expertise, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security will lead farmer engagement, policy integration and nationwide implementation.
Kyari warned that failure to comply with the EUDR could cost Nigeria more than $1 billion in direct export earnings and over $3 billion in total economic value each year.
However, he said the country could turn compliance into a competitive advantage if the right systems are successfully deployed.
“With the right systems, Nigeria can build a transparent, efficient and globally trusted agricultural economy”.
“We can open new premium markets, attract stronger investment and deliver better incomes for our farmers,” he said, stressing that no farmer would be left behind in the transition.
In a goodwill message, NASRDA Director-General, Dr Mathew Adepoju, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to supporting agriculture through space technology and satellite-based monitoring of farmlands and produce.
“We are ready to strengthen our working relationship with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, and we will continuously support its programmes and initiatives,”
Adepoju said, adding that his agency would ensure the full implementation of the MoU.
Also speaking, Dr Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the ministry, described the development as a significant milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural system, noting that traceability and deforestation concerns have become central to global trade.
Meanwhile, Dr Tolulope Pius-Fadipe, Head of Research and Development at the Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC), assured stakeholders that robust data protection measures would be in place to safeguard farmers’ and citizens’ information as the new system is rolled out.
This initiative places Nigeria among the first African countries to adopt satellite-powered agricultural traceability at a national scale, positioning smallholder farmers to meet international sustainability standards.
Source: NAN
