Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has trained Officers of the ministry on Smallholder Horticulture Empowerment and Promotion (SHEP) Approach among other agricultural initiatives to boost and reposition the sector as a driver of food security, economic diversification, employment generation and national stability.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 4 days Capacity Building Workshop held at Lake Green in Kado, Abuja on Monday, 19th January 2026, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Marcus Olaniyi Ogunbiyi revealed that the SHEP approach would change the concept of smallholder farmers from “grow and sell” subsistence to “grow to sell” business thinking, improving their income by building both technical skills and market access through farmer-led market surveys, gender partnership, and business linkage development, turning farming into a profitable enterprise.
Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi noted that the training aligns strongly with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Federal Government, and the priority of achieving sustainable food security and reducing poverty through inclusive agricultural growth.
He explained that the capacity building programme was a deliberate investment in human capital, aimed at strengthening the technical backbone of the Ministry.
The Permanent Secretary added that it also covers critical thematic areas that are central to modern agricultural governance and service delivery.
He commended ‘’the well thought out modules included in this programme like improving agricultural and pastoral practices, modern extension methodologies, climate smart approaches , strengthened monitoring and evaluation systems, policy formulation, contract farming and the SHEP approach.
‘’Collectively these areas are expected to promote all year round crop production, address food shortages, create employment opportunities, support climate adaption, and ensure that development initiatives are guided by sound evidence and reliable data”, he added.
Dr. Ogunbiyi urged the participants to ensure that the capacity building does not end with the workshop, stating that the true value lies in improved performance, better service delivery and tangible outcomes for Nigerian farmers and agribusiness.
He assured the participants that the Ministry remains firmly committed to achieving food security in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in Nigeria.
In his remarks, the SPRiNGS Coordinator, Dr.Ukoha Ukiwo, represented by Head, Research and Evidence SPRING LEAD, Mr. Ephraim Enuch said that the organization would work in partnership with the ministry towards strengthening extension services, Monitoring & Evaluations ,Data systems, Policy Formations in the Agricultural ecosystem.
Signed
Ogbuagu Charity Chika
Principal Information Officer
For: Head, Department of Information
19/01/2026
