The Federal Government has assured that Nigeria will soon overcome its current food inflation and shortage, which have reached 40% according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Abubakar Kyari outlined the government’s plans to tackle food inflation and boost production. Kyari projected a significant harvest by the end of the year, which he believes will alleviate the current food crisis.
Kyari attributed the food shortage to factors such as seasonal changes, reduced agricultural land, flooding, and other challenges. He explained, “We are anticipating a bumper harvest around October-November this year, provided there are no major natural disruptions. This period is crucial as we transition from the lean season, which runs from June to July, to the next harvest.”
The minister also highlighted issues such as shrinking land for agriculture, flooding, land use conflicts, and insecurity as contributing to the food shortage. Additionally, he noted that an ageing farming population and a lack of interest from younger generations in agriculture are challenges facing the sector.
To address these issues, the government is enhancing mechanized farming efforts, including the distribution of fertilizers and the acquisition of tractors. Kyari revealed, “We have placed orders for 200 tractors and 9,000 other farming implements from Belarus. Our goal is to move beyond outdated tools like hoes and advance to modern mechanization in agriculture.”
