Farmfatech 2026 is Mobilising Nigeria’s Agricultural Ecosystem for Industrialisation – Stakeholders
By Chinaza Onwa
Some Agriculture stakeholders say the third edition of Nigeria’s Farm, Food and Allied Technologies Expo (Farmfatech Expo 2026) will bring together policymakers, financial institutions, investors, technology providers, manufacturers, development partners, farmers and civil society organisations to advance practical national strategy for agricultural industrialisation.
They made the assertion while briefing newsmen on the upcoming 2026 Farmfatech Expo on Wednesday in Abuja.
Prince Tony Ifeakandu, Managing Director of Autodex Nig LTD noted that Nigeria’s agricultural challenge is not simply how to produce more food, but how to mechanise production, expand irrigation, preserve harvested crops, improve logistics and storage, and transform agricultural output into commercially viable products for domestic consumption and export.
He said that the Expo with the theme “Driving Agricultural Industrialisation: Local Manufacturing, Technology Transfer, Finance and Export for Africa’s Prosperity, will hold from November 9 – 11, 2026 at 21 Arena, Arts & Crafts Marketplace, beside Abuja Continental Hotel, Central Business District, Abuja.
He reiterated that post-harvest losses represent a major economic opportunity which should be addressed by all agriculture stakeholders.
“We must properly manage post-harvest. Farmfatech therefore places particular emphasis on modern drying systems, storage infrastructure, cold-chain development, standardised logistics, processing and market access.
“If Nigeria could preserve, process and commercially export the agricultural produce it currently loses after harvest, the additional value generated could be transformative for the national economy.
“While the suggestion that this could nearly double GDP illustrates the scale of the ambition, it should not be treated as an established economic forecast without supporting data”.
Ifeakandu, who is also the Lead Creator, Farmfatech, therefore, called for a proper agriculture financing which he described as a critical missing link in the sector.
“We must have structured agricultural finance that will connect farmers and agribusinesses with banks, development finance institutions, investors and risk-sharing mechanisms.
“Farmers, cooperatives and agribusinesses need financing models that connect production to reliable markets, mechanisation, irrigation, processing, storage and export contracts.
“Farmfatech will therefore, provide a platform for stakeholders to explore practical financing solutions that reduce risk, attract investment and support commercially sustainable agricultural clusters”.
He said that Nigeria must build an integrated agricultural ecosystem that produces efficiently, loses less, finances strategically, meets recognised standards and exports competitively.
“Also certification will help strengthen farmer identification, product traceability, quality assurance and standards required for domestic and international markets.
“Farmfatech therefore places particular emphasis on modern drying systems, storage infrastructure, cold-chain development, standardised logistics, processing and market access”.
Dr Nnamdi Ezeani, Chairman of Autodex Nig LTD in his opening speech stressed that Nigeria must move beyond producing food to building a complete agricultural economy.
He reiterated the need for mechanisation and efficient logistics to reduce post-harvest losses and make our agricultural products competitive in local and international markets.Ezeani stated that Farmfatech will bring together government, financial institutions, investors, manufacturers, farmers, technology providers and development partners to develop practical solutions.
“We also seek to promote agricultural clusters, strengthen farm security, improve farmer certification and product traceability, and standardise logistics and cold-chain systems.
“We invite the media to help communicate this message nationally: agriculture is not merely about food production; it is an engine for industrialisation, employment, investment, export growth and national development.
“Farmfatech 2026 is a call for collective action. Our objective is to move from discussions to partnerships, from partnerships to investment, and from investment to measurable results for Nigerian farmers and agribusinesses,” Ezeani added.
They thanked Afreximbank, NEXIM Bank, UBA and PAC, in collaboration with the World Agriculture Forum (WAF), National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF), Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), Bank of Agriculture (BOA), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), NIRSAL and the Nigerian Army for their support.
They said that the participation of these stakeholders reflects the importance of bringing finance, policy, agricultural development, trade, risk management and security into a coordinated national conversation.
