Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Abdullahi, has been honoured with the prestigious “National Agritourism Patron of the Year” award at the inaugural World Agritourism Festival 2025.

The award, presented by Xtralarge Farms and Resources, the organiser of the festival, recognised the minister’s exceptional leadership in promoting agriculture as a tool for economic growth, tourism development, and national sustainability.

Receiving the award, the Minister dedicated the honour to Nigerian farmers, particularly women and youth, whom he described as the “driving force behind Nigeria’s agricultural transformation.”

“There is enormous room for growth,” he said in a statement made available to The PUNCH on Tuesday. “With innovation, partnerships, and strategic initiatives, Nigeria’s agricultural future is bright.”

The festival brought together stakeholders from across Nigeria’s agriculture and tourism sectors to celebrate innovation, sustainability, and the country’s untapped potential.

It also served as a platform to reposition agriculture as a cultural and tourism-driven sector capable of fuelling economic diversification.

The Minister commended the organisers, describing the event as a pioneering model that integrates agribusiness with tourism and national development. He referenced international examples from Italy, South Africa, and the United States, where agritourism through farm stays, festivals, and rural education has contributed to rural economic growth and boosted farmers’ incomes.

He also called for the establishment of a national technical committee to develop Nigeria’s agritourism framework and pledged policy support, investment, and continued leadership in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Transformation requires coordinated efforts. We must build a unified network to ensure shared growth and maximum impact,” he said.

First Lady of Ogun State, Dr. Bamidele Abiodun, who was also honoured at the event, described the festival as a milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of food security and sustainable development. She highlighted renewed global confidence in Nigeria’s agriculture sector, citing recent partnerships with Qatar and Brazil aimed at expanding infrastructure and boosting productivity.

“This festival is timely and pivotal, spotlighting agriculture not just as a means of survival but as a vehicle for tourism, enterprise, and national growth,” she said.

The first lady emphasised the central role of women in agriculture and called for expanded empowerment schemes such as the First Lady’s Renewed Hope Agricultural Support Scheme, which supports women farmers transitioning to commercial agriculture.

“Women constitute more than half of smallholder farmers, yet they remain marginalised in terms of access to land, finance, and technology,” she said. “Supporting women in agriculture is crucial for food security, gender equality, and economic development.”

Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Mrs. Ruth Bisola Olusanya, of Lagos State, noted the power of agritourism to transform how Nigerians perceive agriculture.

“This festival bridges two powerful forces, agriculture and tourism, that together can preserve heritage, empower rural communities, and diversify our economy,” she stated.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Xtralarge Farms, Dr. Seyi Davis, whose organisation led the festival, said the event demonstrated how agriculture can be reimagined as a dynamic driver of sustainability, empowerment, and tourism.

“Events like this show how we can grow not just crops, but economies, communities, and nations,” he said, while urging greater government support for farmers through improved access to finance, insurance, and equipment.

“When local farmers thrive, they reinvest in their communities, creating wealth, jobs, and a better future for all,” he added.