NALDA launches high-tech greenhouse initiative to drive year-round vegetable production

The National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA) has unveiled a nationwide greenhouse farming initiative designed to transform vegetable production, empower young agripreneurs, and support women farmers across Nigeria.

Cornelius Adebayo, executive secretary of NALDA, speaking during an inspection visit to the greenhouse complex at the University of Abuja, said the project, approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, seeks to end the country’s dependence on seasonal vegetable farming and improve supply chains.

“The greenhouse project is in three phases because one of our biggest challenges is overreliance on seasonal production,” Adebayo said.

“Mr President graciously approved the establishment of mega high-tech greenhouses across the country to ensure food availability all year round.”

According to him, the initiative involves the construction of three high-tech, temperature-controlled greenhouses in strategic zones nationwide, alongside net-house greenhouses in Abuja and Ogun State.

“In Giri, Abuja, we have 20 greenhouse units with one nursery, while in Shagamu, Ogun State, there are 30 units and another nursery,” he explained. “Each site has a packing house, cold storage, and solar energy facilities for sustainable operation.”

Adebayo noted that the greenhouse clusters would bring production closer to consumers, cutting transportation costs and post-harvest losses.

“They are strategically located to serve major markets such as Abuja and Lagos,” he added. “We are also supporting existing greenhouse farmers in Shagamu and Epe to expand capacity.”

Under the youth empowerment component, young farmers will manage the facilities, each operating two net houses as independent agripreneurs supervised by NALDA. “The goal is to engage youth productively while boosting food supply,” Adebayo said.

The women’s empowerment segment will focus on open-field vegetable cultivation in every federal constituency. “We plan at least 10 hectares per constituency, with 100 women cultivating crops such as pepper, tomatoes, and leafy greens,” he revealed.

Pilot sites in Cross River, Taraba, Plateau, and Gombe States are already undergoing land clearing and irrigation installation. The Abuja greenhouse facility is scheduled to be fully operational by December 2025, with others to follow in early 2026.

Emphasising safety, Adebayo said greenhouse farming is “100% safe and organic,” adding that the system simply creates optimal atmospheric conditions for plants to thrive.

He clarified that the programme is not a loan scheme, but a government-backed empowerment initiative aimed at removing infrastructural barriers that hinder smallholder farmers.

“At NALDA, our role is to provide the enabling environment for agriculture to thrive. Once infrastructure is in place, farmers will do the rest,” he said.

Adebayo further disclosed that at least 10 young farmers will manage the first 20 greenhouses in Abuja, with expansion plans to 50 units in Abuja and Shagamu. He also appealed to state governments and local communities to provide more land for project scaling.

Highlighting its economic impact, Adebayo said the greenhouse clusters will help stabilise vegetable prices through coordinated offtake and production planning. “With structured clusters, we can influence price stability without enforcing price controls,” he explained.

He concluded that the initiative supports NALDA’s broader goal to decentralise food production, reduce post-harvest losses, and promote urban agriculture near major cities.

“As the giant of Africa, we must produce our vegetables year-round. This project ensures that fresh, affordable produce is always within reach,” Adebayo said.

The NALDA Greenhouse Project will produce tomatoes, peppers, avocados, and other vegetables, offering training opportunities for interested youths in partnership with universities and agricultural institutions.