The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has announced a series of urgent measures aimed at addressing the soaring cost of food in the country.
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The initiative, unveiled by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, includes a 150-day duty-free importation window for key food commodities such as maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas.
During this period, duties, tariffs, and taxes on these items imported through land and sea borders will be suspended.
In a statement released via his official X account, Senator Kyari emphasized the government’s commitment to stabilizing food prices and ensuring affordability.
He explained that imported food commodities will be sold at a government-recommended retail price (RRP) to safeguard consumers from price exploitation.
Addressing concerns over the genetic composition and quality of the imports, the Minister assured Nigerians that all necessary standards will be upheld to ensure the safety of food items.
As part of the plan, the Federal Government will import 250,000 metric tons each of semi-processed wheat and maize.
These commodities will be distributed to small-scale processors and millers nationwide to enhance local food processing and availability.
Additionally, the government will engage with relevant stakeholders to purchase surplus food commodities for restocking the National Strategic Food Reserve, ensuring food security in the coming months.
Efforts are also being directed toward boosting local food production, with preparations underway to increase output for the 2024/2025 farming season.
The government will continue to support smallholder farmers during the ongoing wet season through existing initiatives, while intensifying dry season farming efforts to address production gaps.
Furthermore, the administration plans to implement aggressive agricultural mechanization to reduce the drudgery of farming, lower production costs, and enhance productivity.
Senator Kyari reiterated the government’s dedication to long-term solutions, stating that these measures aim to alleviate the burdens of high food prices and secure a stable agricultural sector for the benefit of all Nigerians.
This announcement marks a significant step in addressing food inflation and signals the Federal Government’s resolve to bring relief to millions of households struggling with escalating food costs.