FG Reveal Plans to solve food problems in Nigeria

Abuja, Nigeria – November 30, 2023 – The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Agriculture, has unveiled an ambitious plan to ensure food availability and combat inflation in the coming year. The government aims to produce approximately 31 million metric tonnes of grains in 2024.

Ministry’s Strategic Approach:

During the opening session of the 6th edition of the Seed Connect Conference and Exhibition, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi, outlined the government’s commitment to addressing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s food security emergency. The government’s plan involves strategic efforts to ensure the availability of food and tackle food inflation.

Key Crops and Seed Distribution:

Minister Aliyu Abdullahi highlighted that the government has identified five major crops—Rice, Maize, Wheat, Soybeans, and Sorghum—for special attention in 2024. The targeted seed requirement for these crops is 312,555.69 metric tonnes, expected to yield nearly 31 million metric tonnes of grains.

As part of immediate priorities, the Ministry has already provided over 300,000 metric tonnes worth of seeds to farmers. This move is aligned with the government’s commitment to ensuring farmers have the necessary resources to contribute to the increased production of critical crops.

Critical Pathways and Certifications:

To overcome food security challenges, the Ministry has outlined critical pathways that include short-term, intermediate, and long-term actions. An immediate priority is the certification of available planting material for key crops in the dry season farming of 2023/2024. This initiative, flagged off in Jigawa State, is a significant step in ensuring the quality and availability of planting materials.

Strategic Path to Food Security:

The Federal Government’s plan demonstrates a strategic path to achieve food security and combat inflation. By focusing on key crops, providing seeds to farmers, and implementing immediate priorities such as certification processes, the government aims to boost agricultural production and ensure food availability for Nigerians in the coming year.