Nigeria must urgently redefine agriculture from a subsistence activity into a modern, profitable enterprise if it is to secure its food future, according to the Group Managing Director of Xtralarge Farms and Resorts.

Speaking at the 2026 Vanguard Economic Discourse in Lagos, the agribusiness leader called for a “re-adorning” of agriculture—arguing that outdated perceptions of farming as labour-intensive and low-income are discouraging youth participation and undermining sector growth.

Changing the perception of farming

“Agriculture today wears the apparel of poverty and hardship,” she said, noting that very few young graduates see farming as a viable career path. Instead, she urged a shift toward positioning agriculture as a dynamic, wealth-generating sector driven by innovation, value addition and entrepreneurship.

The executive emphasised the need to groom “agri-preneurs” rather than traditional farmers—individuals who approach agriculture as a business, with clear market strategies, scalable operations and diversified income streams.

Value addition key to profitability

Central to her message was the importance of moving beyond primary production to value addition. Drawing on early challenges in cassava farming, she highlighted how lack of market access and processing capacity can turn productive farming into financial loss.

“Farmers must produce with a clear understanding of who they are producing for and how they will sell,” she said, stressing that integrating processing, branding and distribution is essential to reducing post-harvest losses and improving profitability.

She warned that without this shift, Nigeria risks worsening food insecurity, projecting that current trends could lead to a significant food crisis by 2028.

Pricing and input costs squeeze farmers

The agribusiness leader also pointed to unstable pricing as a major challenge. While food prices for consumers are falling in some cases, rising input costs—from fertiliser to logistics—are eroding farmers’ margins.

This imbalance, she said, is pushing many producers out of agriculture altogether. “What you buy cheaply is putting a farmer in debt,” she noted, warning that declining farmgate prices could discourage planting in upcoming seasons and lead to supply shortages.

Youth and women at the centre

She called for stronger inclusion of youth and women in agricultural policymaking and investment, arguing that they are critical to driving innovation and scaling agribusiness across the country.

Through Xtralarge’s initiatives, including agritourism and training programmes, the company has built a network of over one million participants across multiple countries, promoting agriculture as both a lifestyle and a business opportunity.

Agritourism as a new frontier

One of the company’s key strategies is integrating tourism into agriculture to enhance profitability and reshape public perception. By developing farm resorts and hosting events such as a global agritourism festival, the company aims to showcase agriculture as modern, experiential and economically viable.

Call for action

Beyond policy discussions, the executive urged practical engagement, encouraging individuals—particularly young people—to actively participate in agriculture, whether through investment, partnerships or direct farming activities.

She also called on government to create an enabling environment, including improved security, stable pricing mechanisms and support for agribusiness investments.

Outlook

As Nigeria grapples with rising food demand and structural challenges in agriculture, the call to “wear a new face” reflects a broader push to reposition the sector.

Transforming agriculture into a profitable, modern industry—rather than a subsistence fallback—may prove decisive in attracting the next generation of farmers and securing long-term food and economic stability.