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Agriculture stakeholders have renewed calls for the adoption of sustainable farming practices across Nigeria and the African continent at the second edition of the Green Agric West Africa Expo (GAWAE) 2026 in Lagos.
Convener of the Expo and Executive Director of Agriquest Africa Network, Ambassador Abiodun Olaniyi, described the 2026 edition, themed, “Greening the Value Chain: Sustainable Practices in West Africa Agriculture,” as a step forward in advancing environmentally responsible agriculture. He noted that the event attracted participants from Ghana, Cameroon and other African countries, reflecting growing continental interest in sustainable farming systems. Olaniyi said the Expo showcased innovations, ranging from soil health improvement techniques to modern farm machinery and sustainability-driven solutions. He emphasised the need to “green” every stage of the agricultural value chain, from soil management and irrigation to processing and distribution, to boost productivity while protecting the environment.
According to him, innovations such as manual irrigation systems that function without rainfall are helping farmers reduce dependence on erratic weather patterns and strengthen food security. He stressed that agriculture should be repositioned as a modern, innovation-driven business rather than a traditional occupation.
He called for stronger government collaboration and support for Agricultural Development Programmes (ADPs) and other initiatives promoting agribusiness growth, noting that while Nigeria has strong agricultural policies, effective implementation remains critical for real transformation. He also disclosed that another Lagos edition is scheduled for April next year, with an Abuja edition to be held from August 11 to 13.
In his keynote address, titled, “Greening the Value Chain: A Vision for West Africa,” Professor of Soil Fertility at the University of Ibadan and National Coordinator of the Organic and Agroecology Initiative in Nigeria, Olugbenga Adeolu of the University of Ibadan urged stakeholders to adopt organic and agroecological principles in agricultural value addition. He stressed that value addition must not harm human health, degrade the environment, reduce product quality or increase production costs.
He advocated green strategies such as biogas generation for mechanisation, the use of biofertilisers and probiotics instead of fossil-fuel-based chemicals, composting, organic manure application and the promotion of resilient indigenous crops.
He also encouraged greater investment in local fertiliser production, noting Nigeria’s phosphate and urea potential, while acknowledging continued reliance on imported potash.
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Representing the Lagos State Commissioner for Agriculture, Abisola Olusanya, Director, Agric Business, Aramide Gansallo, said exhibitions like GAWAE provide vital platforms for producers and agribusinesses to showcase products, build networks and secure long-term patronage beyond immediate sales.
She highlighted the Lagos State Government’s efforts to reduce post-harvest losses through a structured food transformation and logistics system, including a modern logistics hub in Epe capable of storing produce safely for up to 90 days. The initiative is supported by temperature-controlled vehicles, known as “Eco-Log,” which help preserve the quality of produce from farm to market.
According to her, these interventions significantly reduce losses that previously reached up to 50 percent during transportation and handling, thereby improving farmers’ incomes and stabilizing food prices for consumers. She added that additional agro-product hubs are being developed across the state to strengthen the agricultural value chain.
Also speaking, Vice President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Kola Aderibigbe, described agriculture as the backbone of any nation, stressing that it must move beyond subsistence farming to structured, sustainable agribusiness practices.
He noted that the Chamber continues to advocate well-implemented policies that support private sector participation and agricultural growth. Through its Innovation Hub, the Chamber provides support systems to enhance modernisation and productivity among farmers and agritech entrepreneurs.
Aderibigbe identified poor compliance with Global Agricultural Practices (GAP) and lack of traceability as major obstacles to accessing international markets, leading to rejection of some Nigerian agricultural exports. He also cited high interest rates and limited access to affordable financing as key challenges, urging farmers to form cooperatives to strengthen funding opportunities.
Overall, stakeholders at the Expo agreed that sustainable agricultural practices, effective policy implementation, improved logistics, global standards compliance and stronger public-private collaboration are essential to achieving long-term food security and economic growth across West Africa.
