The minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has declared prices of food across the country will fall in 180 days. The minister made the bold claim on social media where he also unveiled some of the actions the current administration is taking to achieve that goal.
Kyari highlighted the recent suspension of taxes and tariffs on importation of select food items including rice, wheat, maize and cowpeas. He also revealed the federal government is planning to import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize which will be distributed to small-scale processors and millers nationwide.
“Our administration has unveiled a series of strategic measures aimed at addressing the high food prices currently affecting our nation. These measures will be implemented over the next 180 days.
“They include 150-day Duty-Free Import Window for Food Commodities suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities through land and sea borders. These commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas,” the minister wrote.
“Imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP). We understand concerns about the quality of these imports, especially regarding their genetic composition.
“The government assures that all standards will be maintained to ensure the safety and quality of food items for consumption.
“The federal government will import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize. These semi-processed commodities will be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country.”
“Engagement with relevant stakeholders to set a GMP and purchase surplus food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve, ramp-Up of Production for the 2024/2025 farming cycle and continued support to smallholder farmers during the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives.
“Strengthening and accelerating dry season farming nationwide, embarking on aggressive agricultural mechanization to reduce drudgery, lower production costs, and boost productivity and collaborating with sub-national entities to identify irrigable lands and increase land under cultivation”.
“Working closely with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation to rehabilitate and maintain irrigation facilities under river basin authorities across the federation, developing strategic engagement for youth and women for immediate greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops such as tomatoes and pepper to increase production volume, stabilize prices, and address food shortages.
“Fast-tracking ongoing engagements with the Nigerian Military to rapidly cultivate arable lands under the Defence Farms Scheme and encouraging other para-military establishments to utilize available arable lands for cultivation.
“Enhancement of nutrition security, promoting the production of fortified food commodities and supporting the scale-up of the home garden initiative by the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the minister added.
