Sopuruchi Onwuka

Nigeria has strengthened its agricultural technology partnership with Turkey’s Direkci Group through a memorandum of understanding that could unlock more than $100 million in investment for greenhouse farming, agro-processing and technology transfer across the country.

The tripartite agreement, involving the Federal Government, Direkci Group and the Bank of Agriculture, was signed during Nigeria Day at the 31st Conference of the Parties in Antalya, Turkey. It is designed to support Nigeria’s agricultural industrialisation drive through the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones programme (SAPZ).

The partnership would begin with a $3 million greenhouse pilot project in Kano State, jointly financed by the Bank of Agriculture and Direkci Group. Each institution would contribute $1.5 million, combining domestic agricultural financing with Turkish expertise in greenhouse technology, engineering, installation and technical support.

Under the pilot, approximately 1,000 modern, climate-adapted greenhouses would be deployed for tomato production. The project would prioritise smallholder farmers, particularly women and young people, by giving them access to productive assets, structured financing, technical mentorship and links to markets.

If successful, the initiative could be expanded across 32 states, with potential investments exceeding $100 million.

The broader plan, according to the MOU, envisages the introduction of as many as 11,000 small greenhouse units, creating the foundation for a nationwide shift from traditional farming to technology-driven, commercially viable agriculture.

The agreement could prove transformative for a sector constrained by low productivity, limited access to finance, post-harvest losses and weak links between farms, processors and markets.

The initiative seeks to establish an integrated agricultural ecosystem capable of delivering reliable output throughout the year by combining greenhouse production with infrastructure, financing, technical supervision and market access.

Greenhouse technology could also help farmers manage some of the effects of climate change by reducing exposure to erratic rainfall, extreme temperatures, pests and other environmental pressures.

In tomato production, where seasonal gluts and shortages often contribute to waste and price volatility, controlled cultivation could improve yields, stabilise supply and strengthen the raw-material base for agro-processing.

The project sits within the strategic objectives of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme, which creates designated areas where agribusinesses can benefit from infrastructure, services and policy support. Its priorities include clustering agricultural enterprises, expanding access to finance, encouraging technology transfer and generating wider socioeconomic benefits.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari said the partnership reflected President Bola Tinubu’s directive to build a modern, productive and commercially viable agricultural sector capable of creating wealth.

Kyari said the initiative would help move Nigerian agriculture away from predominantly traditional production systems towards investment-oriented and market-responsive agribusiness.

He noted that the partnership also demonstrated the importance of combining public-sector leadership with private capital, technology and international expertise.

“This is precisely the kind of collaboration required to move Nigerian agriculture from predominantly traditional production systems towards technology-driven, investment-oriented and market-responsive agribusiness,” the minister said.

He stressed that women and smallholder farmers must be active participants in agricultural modernisation rather than remain at its margins.

The minister noted that, by placing them at the centre of the programme, the project is expected to improve livelihoods, raise productivity and expand economic opportunities in rural communities.

Beyond increasing food production, he explained, the initiative could stimulate local manufacturing, greenhouse assembly, input supply, logistics, storage and agro-processing.

The transfer and eventual domestication of technology could also reduce dependence on imported agricultural systems while building the technical capacity of Nigerian farmers, engineers and institutions, the minister noted.

Daily Champion reports that the agreement provides for a joint performance review after nine months. And, subject to agreed performance and acquisition milestones, the partners could proceed to an initial commercial expansion involving greenhouse systems and equipment worth at least $30 million, before scaling investment across other participating states.

Kyari, however, warned that the success of the initiative would be measured by results rather than commitments made on paper. He called for timely infrastructure delivery, transparent farmer selection, effective financing, quality technical support and measurable development outcomes.

A representative of Direkci Group said the company viewed the initiative as an investment not only in greenhouses, but also in Nigerian women, young people and the country’s agricultural future. The group expressed readiness to provide its expertise and support an expansion beyond Kano to 32 states.

If effectively implemented, the agreement could become a model for mobilising foreign direct investment into Nigeria’s agricultural value chains.

The deal, experts said, holds immense potential for $100 million scale, emphasis on inclusive financing and focus on technology transfer; opportunities that could help strengthen food security, create jobs and position agriculture as a more powerful driver of national economic growth.