Food Will Still Be Cheap For All Nigerians – Minister Assures

SHUKROH BUSARI

The Honourable Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has vowed to tackle the high food inflation in the country in 2024.

Kyari, in a statement jointly signed by the Minister of State, Aliyu Abdullahi, on Monday said, “During this festive season, we heard citizens’ complaints about the cost of food items and citizens”.

Similarly, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, (NBS), the food inflation rate in November 2023 stood at 32.84 percent, the highest since the genesis of democracy.

They said, “We would like to assure Nigerians that we have heard their cries, and are working assiduously to arrest the high food inflationary trend that has been on for some time”.

“Affordability is one of the critical indices of food security, along with availability, accessibility, sustainability, and nutrition. We recognise that food affordability has been impacted by, among others, transportation costs, infrastructure impediments, and exchange rate volatility, especially about the imported component of our food requirements.”

Hence, the Minister proposed in his New Year plans considerable propositions that will suit Nigerians.

He said, “Several items in our Strategic Work Plan will equally gather pace in the New Year. This includes formalising the processes and procedures for bringing under cultivation the vast arable land currently lying fallow in the possession of Federal institutions and establishments by significantly increasing agricultural production in more secure environments.”

“We will also proceed with the reform of the Bank of Agriculture with the ultimate objective of enabling genuine farmers to access affordable credit. This will be in addition to ramping up insurance for players in the agriculture and food security sector.”