The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a series of initiatives to combat the soaring food inflation in the country.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari, announced during a courtesy visit by Gov Umar Namadi of Jigawa in Abuja on Friday.
Kyari expressed the ministry’s commitment to ensuring food security and lowering food inflation, which reached 32.84 percent in November 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
He emphasized the intention to significantly boost production as a means to counter food price inflation, identifying it as the primary driver of inflation.
Kyari affirmed that President Bola Tinubu’s food security agenda is progressing, with plans to sustain food production programs in 2024 for a positive impact on Nigerians.
The minister outlined the ministry’s focused approach to employing technology and mechanization to ramp up the massive production of staple crops.
Grateful for the support and guidance of the President, Kyari stated their determination to align with his vision for the agricultural sector, driving transformation, enhancing productivity, and supporting farmers.
He emphasized the implementation of planned programs and projects in 2024, with a focus on sustainability for achieving extensive food production and ensuring national food security.
Kyari called for support from stakeholders in the agricultural sector to overcome challenges and ensure the success of interventions.
He highlighted the upcoming second phase of the Dry/Wet Season Farming intervention and affirmed the Ministry’s full support for wheat production in Jigawa and other states.
The governor’s visit, according to Kyari, symbolizes the strong partnership between the state and federal governments in promoting food security and agricultural development.
Governor Namadi reported progress in wheat cultivation on 36,000, 700, and 87 hectares, expressing optimism for self-sufficiency in wheat production.
He assured the minister of Jigawa’s continued participation in the ongoing wheat dry season farming under the NAGS-AP program, citing the state’s resources and initiatives for promoting wheat farming.
Namadi pledged cooperation to achieve success in dry season farming, including updating the farmers’ register for effective planning during the rice season.
The visit comes amid growing concerns over the rising cost of food in Nigeria, which has been worsened by insecurity, climate change, and the global pandemic.
According to the World Bank, Nigeria faces a “catastrophic food insecurity” situation, with more than 10 million people in need of food assistance.
The bank also warned that the country’s poverty rate could rise from 40 percent in 2019 to 45 percent in 2022, adding 10 million more people to the extreme poor.
To address the food crisis, the World Bank recommended increasing agricultural productivity, improving market access, and enhancing social protection for the vulnerable.
The Federal Government has also taken steps to improve food availability and affordability, such as banning the importation of some food items, subsidizing fertilizers, and providing loans and grants to farmers.
However, experts have urged the government to do more to tackle the root causes of food inflation, such as insecurity, infrastructure, and policy gaps.
They have also called for more investment in research and innovation, as well as collaboration with the private sector and civil society, to boost food production and distribution.
Despite the challenges, the government remains optimistic that its efforts will yield positive results and improve the living standards of Nigerians.
Kyari said the ministry is working hard to deliver on its mandate and make Nigeria a food-secure nation.
He said the ministry is also committed to creating jobs and wealth for the youth and women, as well as enhancing the competitiveness of Nigerian products in the global market.
He expressed confidence that with the support of all stakeholders, Nigeria will overcome its food challenges and achieve its agricultural potential.
Source: Tribune Online
