FG to Determine Food Prices, Commits to Food Security

The federal government has announced that plans have been concluded on the determination of food prices in Nigeria.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, who disclosed this in Abuja also gave hints on the projects and initiatives the federal government to stem the rising cost of food in the country.

Kyari said that farmers have been registered for summer farming through the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and AgroPocket, NAGS-AP, adding that 120,000 hectares of wheat have been cultivated in Jigawa State under the African Development Bank (AfDB’s) 50 per cent free agriculture scheme.

“Over 150,000 hectares would be farmed under the rice, maize and crops programme where approximately 300,000 farmers would be added while funds would be provided by world Nonprofit organisations to lower prices,” he assured.

He said that foreign food exporters would be listed on national borders to prevent illegal immigrants, saying that exporting food is beneficial to the country, but becomes harmful when the government does not benefit from it.

He pointed out that the ministry has ordered the distribution of 42,000 tonnes of grains to distribute to low-income individuals in its bid to reduce the problem of rising food prices and shortages.

“Agriculture will be balanced to increase the amount of food being produced and postharvest losses would be reduced. Green imperatives programmes would be created that will cost billions of dollars to create agricultural management institutions in all 774 local governments of Nigeria. The system will help to provide rental equipment at a better price.

“A Farm Benefit Agency will be created which will lead to specific prices of food products in the market and protect farmers from lake loss during floods. The government will buy food from farmers and sell it to those in need to ensure they are not cheated,” he stated.