The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, on behalf of the Federal Government, has declared urgent steps to alleviate the nation’s exorbitant food prices. Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, declared on his official X account that there will be a 150-day duty-free import window for food items.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
During this period, taxes, levies, and tariffs on the importation of specific food items across land and sea borders will be suspended. The commodities that are targeted are cowpeas, wheat, husked brown rice, and maize. “To combat the excessive cost of food that is currently plaguing our country, our administration has announced a number of strategic initiatives. “Over the next 180 days, these measures will be put into effect,” Kyari stated.
The Minister stated that a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) will be applied to imported food goods in order to accomplish its goal. “We recognize that there are worries about the quality of these imports, particularly in light of their genetic makeup. Kyari stated, “The government guarantees that all standards will be upheld to guarantee the safety and quality of food items for consumption.”
“250,000 metric tons of maize and 250,000 metric tons of wheat will be imported by the federal government. Small-scale millers and processors around the nation will get these semi-processed goods.
“Working with pertinent parties to establish a GMP and buy extra food items to replenish the National Strategic Food Reserve.” Increase output in preparation for the 2024–2025 growing season.
“Ongoing assistance to smallholder farmers through current government programs during the current wet season.” bolstering and expanding dry season agriculture across the country. aggressively mechanizing agriculture in an effort to increase productivity, decrease production costs, and eliminate drudgery.
identifying irrigable lands and expanding the area under cultivation in cooperation with subnational organizations. Rehabilitating and maintaining irrigation facilities under river basin authorities throughout the federation in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation.
In order to boost production volume, stabilize prices, and alleviate food shortages, horticultural crops like tomatoes and peppers are being grown in greenhouses right now, and strategic engagement with women and adolescents is being developed.
“Encouraging other paramilitary establishments to use available arable lands for cultivation and expediting ongoing engagements with the Nigerian Military to rapidly cultivate arable lands under the Defence Farms Scheme,” the Minister stated.
The Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee has been established to create and carry out policies that prioritize livestock development in accordance with the National Livestock Transformation Plan, and a Ministry of Livestock Development has been established, Kyari added. Regarding some of the government’s initiatives, the minister added that measures have been implemented to improve nutrition security.
encouraging the manufacture of food products that have been fortified. “Encouraging the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s Office of the First Lady to expand the Home Garden Initiative,” he stated.
“All pertinent MDAs and stakeholders must work together for these efforts to be successful. I reaffirm President Tinubu’s steadfast commitment to attaining food security and making sure that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry as our country faces this pressing issue.
While continuing our plans for long-term interventions to address underlying causes and ensure sustainable and resilient food systems in Nigeria, the Minister continued, “My team and I will work swiftly and diligently to actualize these crucial policies, ensuring food security for everyone in the immediate term.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
