The federal government yesterday formally unveiled strategic measures geared toward combating the excessive meals costs at present burdening the nation.
Minister of agriculture and meals safety, Abubakar Kyari who revealed the plans on his verified X account, said that the measures can be carried out over the subsequent 180 days with the expectation to scale back hovering costs of meals gadgets.
The initiatives embody; a 150-day Obligation-Free import window for meals commodities, suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on imports of particular meals commodities, together with maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas, by land and sea borders.
In line with the minister, these commodities can be subjected to a pricing management regime particularly to be offered at a Advisable Retail Worth (RRP) to make sure affordability.
The federal authorities additionally deliberate to import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize which can be distributed to small-scale processors and millers nationwide.
Kyari stated that the federal government will have interaction with related stakeholders to set a Assured Minimal Worth (GMP) and buy surplus meals commodities to restock the nationwide strategic meals reserve amongst different methods.
He added that over the subsequent 14 days, the federal government will finalise the implementation frameworks in collaboration with the Presidential Meals Techniques Coordinating Unit (PFSCU) and the Financial Administration Crew (EMT).
The minister additional emphasised that the success of those measures hinges on the cooperation and collaboration of all related Ministries, Departments, and Businesses (MDAs) and stakeholders.
He reiterated President Tinubu’s dedication to attaining meals safety and making certain that no Nigerian goes to mattress hungry.
He stated, “Our administration has unveiled a collection of strategic measures geared toward addressing the excessive meals costs at present affecting our nation. These measures can be carried out over the subsequent 180 days.
They embody; 150-day Obligation-Free Import Window for Meals Commodities suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes for the importation of sure meals commodities by land and sea borders. These commodities embody maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas”
“Imported meals commodities can be subjected to a Advisable Retail Worth (RRP). We perceive issues concerning the high quality of those imports, particularly concerning their genetic composition.
The federal government assures that every one requirements can be maintained to make sure the protection and high quality of meals gadgets for consumption.
The federal authorities will import 250,000 metric tons of wheat and 250,000 metric tons of maize. These semi-processed commodities can be equipped to small-scale processors and millers throughout the nation.”
He continued, “Engagement with related stakeholders to set a GMP and buy surplus meals commodities to restock the Nationwide Strategic Meals Reserve, ramp-Up of Manufacturing for the 2024/2025 farming cycle and continued assist to smallholder farmers throughout the ongoing moist season farming by current authorities initiatives.
Strengthening and accelerating dry season farming nationwide, embarking on aggressive agricultural mechanisation to scale back drudgery, decrease manufacturing prices, and enhance productiveness and collaborating with sub-national entities to establish irrigable lands and improve land beneath cultivation”.
“Working intently with the Federal Ministry of Water Assets and Sanitation to rehabilitate and keep irrigation amenities beneath river basin authorities throughout the federation, growing strategic engagement for youth and girls for instant greenhouse cultivation of horticultural crops resembling tomatoes and pepper to extend manufacturing quantity, stabilise costs, and handle meals shortages.
Quick-tracking ongoing engagements with the Nigerian Army to quickly domesticate arable lands beneath the Defence Farms Scheme and inspiring different para-military institutions to utilise out there arable lands for cultivation.
Enhancement of diet safety, selling the manufacturing of fortified meals commodities and supporting the scale-up of the house backyard initiative by the Workplace of the First Girl of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”, the minister added.
