The Federal Government’s unveiled measures to combat high food prices in Nigeria over the next 180 days include a range of strategic actions. These measures, detailed by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, involve a 150-day Duty-Free import window for specific food commodities, suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on imports of maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas through land and sea borders.
Additionally, the government will import 250,000 metric tons each of wheat and maize to distribute to small-scale processors and millers nationwide. These commodities will be sold at a Recommended Retail Price (RRP) to ensure affordability, and a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) will be set to stabilize prices and restock the national strategic food reserve.
The initiatives also include support for smallholder farmers, strengthening dry season farming, agricultural mechanization, rehabilitation of irrigation facilities, and encouraging the cultivation of arable lands by the Nigerian Military and other para-military establishments. Furthermore, the government aims to enhance nutrition security and promote fortified food production, alongside the home garden initiative led by the Office of the First Lady. These measures are expected to address food security and ensure no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.
