The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has announced immediate measures to ease the rising food prices across Nigeria. In a bid to bring relief to households and businesses, the government has introduced a 150-day duty-free import window for essential food commodities.
This decision was shared by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who outlined that the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes will apply to food imports coming through both land and sea borders.
The commodities targeted for this initiative include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas. The government hopes these imports will help stabilize prices and ensure food security in the country.
Kyari, addressing concerns over the quality of imported food, assured Nigerians that strict standards will be maintained to guarantee safety and quality. He also revealed that the government would import a total of 250,000 metric tons each of wheat and maize. These semi-processed products will be distributed to small-scale processors and millers to help boost local production and reduce reliance on costly imports.
In addition to these measures, Kyari mentioned that the government will continue to support smallholder farmers with ongoing initiatives and encourage dry-season farming. The administration is also working on enhancing agricultural mechanization to improve productivity and lower production costs.
Further efforts will include collaboration with state governments to identify land for irrigation and promote large-scale cultivation, while the Ministry of Water Resources will help restore irrigation facilities. Kyari also highlighted plans to empower youth and women through greenhouse farming, focusing on high-demand crops like tomatoes and peppers.
These combined efforts, Kyari stated, align with President Tinubu’s commitment to achieving food security for all Nigerians, ensuring no one goes hungry. The administration’s plan will be in place for the next 180 days, with the long-term goal of building a resilient and sustainable food system.
In the minister’s words, the success of these measures depends on the cooperation of all stakeholders, as the nation works together to combat food insecurity.
