Tinubu’s Bold Agri-Reforms to Slash Food Prices & Boost Nationwide Farming – Minister

By: Manoah Kikekon 

Abubakar Kyari

President Bola Tinubu’s administration is rolling out sweeping agricultural reforms to ensure food affordability, availability, and accessibility for all Nigerians, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has announced.

Speaking in Maiduguri, Kyari outlined the government’s strategic interventions to combat food insecurity and revitalize the economy. The ministry has adopted a multi-faceted approach to tackle pressing issues such as insecurity, climate-related flooding, and reliance on food imports particularly for staples like wheat and rice. 

To cut Nigeria’s annual wheat import of over six million tonnes, the government has launched a national wheat farming initiative, with Cross River emerging as the first southern state to join the production drive a major step in diversifying crop cultivation.  

Additionally, targeted fertiliser distribution has boosted rice output by 58,000 tonnes, enabling the federal government to provide subsidized rice to flood-impacted states. Kyari highlighted the success of the national rice programme, which has already yielded positive harvests across the country.  

With 80% of Nigeria’s food produced by local farmers, the minister stressed the need to balance consumer affordability with fair producer incentives. “Our top priority is ensuring every Nigerian has access to safe, nutritious, and affordable food,” Kyari stated.  

As Nigeria’s population is projected to hit 400 million by 2050, the government is prioritizing mechanized farming and youth engagement to secure long-term food sustainability. Efforts are underway to restore critical farming assets, including tractors and processing equipment, to enhance productivity.  

 

To minimize food wastage, Nigeria has secured a bilateral deal with Brazil for advanced food preservation and storage technology. Another partnership with Belarus will enhance aggregation services to ramp up production output.  

 

Kyari issued a stern warning against the misuse of government-provided farming machinery, urging farmers to utilize resources responsibly. He also revealed that only three of Nigeria’s silo sites are operational, but plans are in motion to reactivate the remaining storage facilities in collaboration with stakeholders.  

“The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is committed to ensuring these critical infrastructures are fully optimized,” Kyari affirmed.  

(NAN)