As part of measures to address food security concerns, stabilise prices, and ensure financial liquidity in the agricultural sector for farmers in Nigeria, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has announced plan to stockpile its Strategic Food Reserve.
Aside this, government also added the plan would enable farmers to go into all-year-round farming, especially during the dry season.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, made this disclosure during a working tour of some facilities in Kaduna with the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Abdullahi Aliyu, in the company of other stakeholders.
It was gathered that the tour was on the sidelines of the 47th Regular Meeting of the National Council on Agriculture and Food Security.
Addressing the worries of farmers about a crash in the cost of food items across the country in spite hike in the cost of input, the minister assured them of the readiness of the government to tackle the challenge.
“Though farmers are worried about a crash in the cost of food but they also go to the same markets and benefit from cheaper prices.
“At the same time, the problem with farmers is the price of inputs.
“President Bola Tinubu is working on that. We are going to tackle the price of inputs and balance the welfare of citizens and that of the farmers.
“Very soon, we are also going to stock up strategic reserves, which will give a lot of financial liquidity to the agricultural sector for farmers to be able to go into all-year-round farming, especially in the dry season,” he said.
The minister, while assessing the performance of some factories, expressed satisfaction over the high level and interest of the populace in food production, processing of raw materials, among others.
Kyari said farmers and processors have heeded the clarion call of President Tinubu on the issue of food security and food sovereignty.
“It is evident that what you see on the field is almost in line with the renewal hope agenda of Mr President,” he said.
Some of the factories visited by the minister include Olam Agri, TMDK Agro Park, DEBRANCH Farmers, Quality Afriexim Bank Quality Assurance Office and Tomato Jos
According to him, the quality assurance office seeks to give Nigerian produce a seal of approval for both domestic and export markets.
