Federal Ministry of Agriculture Urges Farmers to Connect to Markets

Patricia Dara, the Director of Cooperatives at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, addressed farmers at the 2026 World Agricultural Day celebration held in Kano. The event was organized by Sahel Consulting as part of the Resilient and Inclusive Agricultural Systems Empowering Women and Youth (RISE) project, which is sponsored by MEDA, the Government of Canada, and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, among other partners.

Dara emphasized that farmers should not only focus on increasing production but also ensure their produce is linked to profitable and sustainable markets. She stated that farmers operating through cooperatives would have better access to markets, finance, inputs, and technology, thereby enhancing their bargaining power with processors, aggregators, and other market players.

Dara highlighted that collective action could empower smallholder farmers, transforming them from individual producers with limited market influence into stronger economic actors capable of negotiating better market opportunities.