JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
Following a series of hunger and hardship protests by Nigerians across the country, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has assured that food prices will start to fall within 180 days.
Kyari, who made the remarks in a post on his official X account on Wednesday, said the government has implemented a number of measures that will be implemented to reduce the prices of a number of food items.
The Minister stated that some of the strategic steps taken to combat high food prices include duty-free imports, increased production, and stakeholder involvement.
He added that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to ensuring food security for all Nigerians and will implement measures that will bring relief to Nigerians.
“Our government has launched a series of strategic measures aimed at addressing the high food prices currently plaguing our country. These measures will be implemented over the next 180 days,” Kyari said.
Listing the steps, the minister said:
1. 150 Day Duty Free Import Window for Food Commodities:
Termination of import duties, tariffs and taxes on imports of certain food commodities through land and sea borders. These commodities include corn, brown rice, wheat and cowpeas.
Imported food commodities will be subject to Recommended Retail Prices (HET). We understand concerns about the quality of these imports, especially regarding their genetic composition.
READ ALSO: Agriculture Minister names reasons for tomato price hike and shortages
The government ensures that all standards will be maintained to ensure the safety and quality of food for consumption.
2. The Federal Government will import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of corn. These semi-finished commodities will be supplied to small-scale processors and millers across the country.
3. Involvement of relevant stakeholders to determine GMP and purchase surplus food commodities to replenish the National Strategic Food Reserve.
4. Increased Production for the 2024/2025 Agricultural Cycle
Continued support to smallholder farmers during the ongoing wet farming season through existing government initiatives.
Strengthening and accelerating dry season agriculture nationally.
Initiate aggressive agricultural mechanization to reduce manual labor, lower production costs, and increase productivity.
Collaborate with sub-national entities to identify irrigable lands and increase planted areas.
Work 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 in greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops such as tomatoes and chilies to increase production volume, stabilize prices and address food shortages.
Expedite the ongoing engagement with the Nigerian Military to urgently cultivate arable land under the Defence Farming Scheme and encourage other paramilitary agencies to utilize available arable land for cultivation.
5. National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee Renewed Hope
The committee was inaugurated on Tuesday, July 9, 2024, to develop and implement policies that prioritize livestock development in line with the National Livestock Transformation Plan, and the Ministry of Livestock Development has been established.
6. Increased Nutritional Resilience
Promote the production of fortified food commodities.
•Support the enhancement of the Home Garden Initiative by the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Over the next 14 days, in close collaboration with the Presidential Food System Coordination Unit (PFSCU) and the Economic Management Team (EMT), we will convene with each agency to finalize the implementation framework. We will ensure that information is publicly available to facilitate the participation of all relevant stakeholders across the country.
The success of these steps depends on the cooperation and collaboration of all Ministries and relevant stakeholders.
As our country faces this critical food security challenge, I reiterate President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to achieving food security and ensuring that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.
My team and I will work quickly and diligently to deliver on this important policy, ensuring food security for all in the short term while continuing our strategy of long-term interventions to address root causes and ensure a sustainable and resilient food system in Nigeria.”
Our government has launched a series of strategic measures aimed at addressing the high food prices currently plaguing our country. These measures will be implemented over the next 180 days;
1,150 Day Duty-Free Import Window for Food Commodities
•Suspension of duties,… photo.twitter.com/cdhCGikzjs— Senator Abubakar Kyari, CON (@SenatorAKyari) July 10, 2024
Agriculture Minister says food prices will crash in 180 days, lists six strategies adopted by govt first appeared on Latest Nigeria News | Headlines from Ripples Nigeria.
