The Nigerian Government on Monday unveiled measures to
overcome the high prices of food in Nigeria within the next 180 days.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar
Kyari said a 150-Day Duty-Free Import Window for food commodities would be
implemented by the Federal Government.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, Kyari said:
“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. Under this arrangement, imported food commodities will be
subjected to a Recommended Retail Price (RRP). (I am aware that some good
citizens might be concerned about the quality of the would-be imported food
commodities as it relates to the trending worries around the genetic
composition of food.)
“I am glad to reiterate that the Government’s position
exemplifies standards that would not compromise the safety of the various food
items for consumption.
“In addition to the importation by private sector, Federal
Government will import 250,000MT of Wheat and 250,000MT of Maize. The imported
food commodities in their semi processed state will target supplies to the
small-scale processors and millers across the country.”
He listed other measures to be implemented by the government
to include:
“Engage relevant stakeholders to set a Guaranteed Minimum
Price (GMP) and mop up surplus assorted food commodities to restock the
National Strategic Food Reserve.
“Continuous ramp-up production for the 2024/2025 farming cycle. sustained support to smallholder farmers in the ongoing wet season farming through existing government initiatives, strengthen and accelerate Dry Season Farming across the country. Embark on aggressive agricultural mechanization and development to reduce drudgery, drive down the cost of production and boost productivity, collaborate with Sub-National to identify irrigable lands and increase land under cultivation, work closely with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, to rehabilitate and maintain irrigation facilities under river basin authorities across the federation.
“Development of a strategic engagement for youth and women
across the Federation 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,
while encouraging other Para-Military establishments to put secured available
arable lands to cultivation.”
He said the Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation
Implementation Committee will be inaugurated on Tuesday, 9th July 2024 with a
view to developing and implementing policies that prioritize livestock
development and ensure alignment with the National Livestock Transformation
Plan.
The government also plans to enhance Nutrition Security
through the promotion of production of fortified food commodities and offer
necessary support to scale up the Home Garden Initiative by the Office of The
First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Abubakar noted that over the next 14 days, the Nigerian
Government in close collaboration with the Presidential Food Systems
Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and the Economic Management Team (EMT), will convene
with the respective Agencies to finalize the implementation frameworks.
“We will ensure that information is publicly available to
facilitate the participation of all relevant stakeholders across the country,”
he said.
He said the PFSCU will manage a dashboard for the President,
providing him with direct visibility into these interventions and ensuring
accountability.
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