Food Prices Set to Drop Within 180 Days, Says Agric Minister

In a bid to alleviate the hunger crisis prompting widespread protests across Nigeria, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari, announced a significant drop in food prices within the next 180 days. This declaration was made public on Wednesday through his X (formerly Twitter) handle, where he outlined comprehensive measures to tackle the escalating food costs.

Kyari unveiled a multi-faceted plan to be implemented over the coming six months, beginning with a 150-day duty-free import window for specific food commodities. He detailed that the suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes would apply to the importation of maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas through both land and sea borders. These imported goods will be sold at a government-mandated Recommended Retail Price (RRP) to ensure affordability.

To ensure the quality and safety of these imports, Kyari assured that strict standards would be maintained, particularly concerning genetic composition. The government plans to import 250,000 metric tons each of wheat and maize, which will be distributed to small-scale processors and millers across Nigeria.

Other key initiatives include engaging stakeholders to set a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) and purchasing surplus food to replenish the National Strategic Food Reserve. Additionally, the government will bolster support for smallholder farmers through ongoing and new agricultural initiatives, including aggressive mechanization and expanding irrigated land cultivation.

Kyari emphasized the importance of youth and women’s involvement in immediate greenhouse cultivation of crops like tomatoes and peppers to stabilize prices and address shortages. He also highlighted ongoing collaborations with the Nigerian Military and other paramilitary groups to utilize available arable lands for cultivation under the Defence Farms Scheme.

The newly inaugurated Renewed Hope National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee will focus on developing policies that prioritize livestock development in line with the National Livestock Transformation Plan. A dedicated Ministry of Livestock Development has been established to support this initiative.

To enhance nutrition security, the government will promote fortified food production and support the scale-up of the Home Garden Initiative led by the First Lady of Nigeria.

In the next 14 days, Kyari will work closely with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and the Economic Management Team (EMT) to finalize the implementation frameworks and ensure transparency for stakeholder participation nationwide.

Kyari concluded by stressing the importance of cooperation from all relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and stakeholders to achieve these goals. He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to food security, aiming to ensure no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.

“My team and I are dedicated to swiftly implementing these policies to secure immediate and long-term food security in Nigeria,” Kyari stated.