Wednesday, July 30, 2025 - Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, has been honoured with the prestigious “National Agritourism Patron of the Year” award at the inaugural World Agritourism Festival 2025.
The award, presented by Xtralarge Farms and Resources, the
organiser of the festival, recognised the minister’s exceptional leadership in
promoting agriculture as a tool for economic growth, tourism development, and
national sustainability.
Receiving the award, the Minister dedicated the honour to
Nigerian farmers, particularly women and youth, whom he described as the
“driving force behind Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.”
“There is enormous room for growth,” he said in a statement
made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday. “With innovation, partnerships, and
strategic initiatives, Nigeria’s agricultural future is bright.”
The festival brought together stakeholders from across
Nigeria’s agriculture and tourism sectors to celebrate innovation,
sustainability, and the country’s untapped potential. It also served as a
platform to reposition agriculture as a cultural and tourism-driven sector
capable of fuelling economic diversification.
The Minister commended the organisers, describing the event
as a pioneering model that integrates agribusiness with tourism and national
development. He referenced international examples from Italy, South Africa, and
the United States, where agritourism through farm stays, festivals, and rural
education has contributed to rural economic growth and boosted farmers’
incomes.
He also called for the establishment of a national technical
committee to develop Nigeria’s agritourism framework and pledged policy
support, investment, and continued leadership in line with President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Transformation requires coordinated efforts. We must build
a unified network to ensure shared growth and maximum impact,” he said.
First Lady of Ogun State, Dr. Bamidele Abiodun, who was also
honoured at the event, described the festival as a milestone in Nigeria’s
pursuit of food security and sustainable development. She highlighted renewed
global confidence in Nigeria’s agriculture sector, citing recent partnerships
with Qatar and Brazil aimed at expanding infrastructure and boosting
productivity.
“This festival is timely and pivotal, spotlighting
agriculture not just as a means of survival but as a vehicle for tourism,
enterprise, and national growth,” she said.
The first lady emphasised the central role of women in
agriculture and called for expanded empowerment schemes such as the First
Lady’s Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Scheme, which supports women farmers
transitioning to commercial agriculture.
“Women constitute more than half of smallholder farmers, yet
they remain marginalised in terms of access to land, finance, and technology,”
she said. “Supporting women in agriculture is crucial for food security, gender
equality, and economic development.”
Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Mrs. Ruth
Bisola Olusanya, of Lagos State, noted the power of agritourism to transform
how Nigerians perceive agriculture.
“This festival bridges two powerful forces, agriculture and
tourism, that together can preserve heritage, empower rural communities, and
diversify our economy,” she stated.
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Xtralarge Farms, Dr.
Seyi Davis, whose organisation led the festival, said the event demonstrated
how agriculture can be reimagined as a dynamic driver of sustainability,
empowerment, and tourism.
“Events like this show how we can grow not just crops, but
economies, communities, and nations,” he said, while urging greater government
support for farmers through improved access to finance, insurance, and
equipment.
“When local farmers thrive, they reinvest in their
communities, creating wealth, jobs, and a better future for all,” he added.
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