The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has announced the following measures to address the high cost of food in the country
– A 150-day duty-free import window for food commodities, including the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of certain food commodities through land and sea borders.
– Targeted commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas.
– Imported food commodities will be subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP).
– 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 Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and purchase surplus food commodities to restock the National Strategic Food Reserve.
– Ramp up production for the 2024/2025 farming cycle.
– 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.
– 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 peppers 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 paramilitary establishments to utilize available arable lands for cultivation.
