President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken decisive action to address skyrocketing food prices in Nigeria by ordering the massive importation of rice and other essential items.
Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, disclosed this on Monday while outlining the implementation of the Presidential Accelerated Stabilisation and Advancement Plan, a new initiative aimed at achieving food security and economic stability.
Since the removal of petrol subsidies and the floating of the naira last year, Nigerians have been grappling with high food prices. The government, acknowledging the dire situation, announced measures to alleviate the burden on citizens.
Key Highlights of the Policy:
1. Duty-Free Importation of Food Commodities:
– The federal government has approved a 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities, allowing the importation of items such as maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas through land and sea borders without duties, tariffs, or taxes. Imported food commodities will be subject to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) to ensure affordability.
2. Quality Assurance:
– Minister Kyari reassured the public about the quality of imported food, emphasizing that the government will uphold safety standards for all food items.
3. Government Imports:
– The federal government will import 250,000 metric tonnes of wheat and 250,000 metric tonnes of maize, targeting supplies to small-scale processors and millers across the country.
4. Guaranteed Minimum Price and National Strategic Food Reserve:
– The government will collaborate with relevant parties to set a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) and will purchase surplus food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve.
5. Support for Smallholder Farmers:
– Continued support will be provided to smallholder farmers during the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives.
6. Accelerated Dry-Season Farming:
– The government plans to strengthen and accelerate dry-season farming, embark on aggressive agricultural mechanization, reduce production costs, boost productivity, and identify irrigable lands for increased cultivation.
7. Utilization of Military Land for Farming:
– Ongoing engagements with the Nigerian Military aim to cultivate arable lands under the Defence Farms Scheme. Other para-military establishments are also encouraged to secure available lands for cultivation.
8. Livestock Transformation Plan:
– The Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee will be inaugurated to develop and implement livestock development policies aligned with the National Livestock Transformation Plan.
9. Nutrition Security:
– The government will promote the production of fortified food commodities and support the Home Garden Initiative by the Office of the First Lady to enhance nutrition security.
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These comprehensive measures reflect the government’s commitment to stabilizing food prices, ensuring food security, and supporting agricultural productivity in Nigeria.
As these initiatives take effect, the government remains focused on providing relief to Nigerians and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
