By Helen Okechukwu, JKNewsMedia Reporter
AS A PROACTIVE measure to tackle soaring food prices and enhance food security, the Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to import 250,000 metric tonnes each of wheat and maize.
The government will distribute these semi-processed commodities nationwide to support small-scale processors and millers.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, disclosed these initiatives on Wednesday, outlining a comprehensive strategy set to roll out within 180 days.
Key among these strategies is a 150-day duty-free import window for essential food items, including maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas, to ease supply constraints.
“We recognize concerns over the quality of imports, particularly genetic composition,” Kyari assured, emphasizing that stringent standards will be upheld to ensure food safety and quality.
Additional measures include establishing a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) for imported commodities and bolstering the National Strategic Food Reserve with surplus purchases.
The government plans to enhance production for the 2024–2025 farming cycle and rejuvenate the National Livestock Transformation Implementation Committee to bolster nutrition security.
Kyari highlighted upcoming engagements with the Presidential Food Systems Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and the Economic Management Team (EMT) within the next 14 days to finalize implementation frameworks.
He also reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s dedication to eradicating hunger, affirming ongoing efforts to address root causes and fortify Nigeria’s food systems sustainably.
