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Recent efforts by farmers and agro-dealers to cultivate approximately 323,000 hectares of farmland during the 2024 dry season have sparked optimism for a drop in food prices in the coming months. The initiative, supported by the Federal Government, aims to address the surge in food prices, with a focus on major crops such as wheat, rice, maize, and cassava.
According to a report from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the cultivation plan includes 123,000 hectares for wheat, 150,000 hectares for rice, 30,000 hectares for maize, and 20,000 hectares for cassava. Additionally, the production of wheat has already commenced in 15 states, with plans for the cultivation of rice, maize, and cassava in subsequent months.
In response to the government’s efforts, Kabir Ibrahim, President of All Farmers Association of Nigeria, emphasized the significance of increasing food production and expanding cultivable land. He expressed support for the government’s target of cultivating 500,000 hectares of farmland to combat food insecurity and lauded the ongoing expansion of cultivable land.
President Bola Tinubu had previously declared a state of emergency on food security, vowing to boost food production by cultivating 500,000 hectares of farmland. While the actual progress has reached 323,000 hectares, farmers remain hopeful that this initiative will have a positive impact on food prices, potentially curbing inflation and ensuring a steady food supply in the market.
Despite the positive outlook, Kabir Ibrahim also raised concerns about the devaluation of the naira and its potential impact on purchasing power. He stressed the need for comprehensive efforts to shore up the naira’s purchasing power, encompassing investments in sectors beyond agriculture to bolster foreign exchange earnings.
To achieve the target of increased food production, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has engaged in discussions with several state governments, emphasizing the importance of agric extension workers and collaborative efforts to enhance food security.
The interplay between federal and state governments, exemplified by the meeting between the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security and various state governors, illustrates the collective commitment to achieving sustainable agricultural production and food security. In particular, the emphasis on partnership and collaboration reflects a shared goal of realizing food security and related value chain benefits.
“Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture Promotes Food Security and Growth”
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture, Alhaji Muhammad Sabo Nanono, emphasized the country’s commitment to achieving food security and agricultural growth during his recent discussions with state governors. The minister highlighted the importance of the dry/wet season farming for staple crops such as rice, maize, and cassava, aiming to ensure transparent distribution of agro-inputs and support genuine farmers. He expressed gratitude for the support and guidance of the President, while underscoring the need for collaboration with states, local governments, traditional rulers, NGOs, and relevant MDAs to achieve their goal.
To address the challenges observed in previous interventions, President Tinubu has approved further support to farmers. The minister also stressed the necessity of increasing the number of extension agents and ensuring their capacity and well-being. Additionally, the Nigeria Agro Input Dealers Association inaugurated a compliance monitoring team to halt malpractices in the sales and distribution of agro-commodities, particularly fertilisers across the country. The President of NAIDA, Kabiru Fara, highlighted the importance of addressing these malpractices and the establishment of compliance measures across all states and the Federal Capital Territory.
