The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, for the recent drop in food prices across the country.
Kyari, in a recent national television appearance, explained that the government’s strategy of boosting food production while temporarily allowing imports was aimed at addressing deep-rooted “structural imbalances” in Nigeria’s agriculture sector.
In a statement, ATT Convener Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu said President Tinubu’s emergency measures on food security were beginning to yield positive results, citing the reduction in food prices as evidence.
“We commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, for their efforts in reducing food prices. The decrease clearly shows that the President’s emergency measures are working,” Yakubu stated.
“It was a good decision that the federal government introduced a temporary importation window to stabilize prices without discouraging local farmers. This window allowed for the importation of essential food items like maize, husked brown rice, wheat, and cowpeas.
“What we are seeing today can be attributed to the fact that the federal government distributed 2 million bags of fertilizer to farmers free of charge, and also supported farmers with fertilizer at 50% cost. This initiative aimed to boost agricultural production and reduce reliance on imports.
“The federal government implemented various programmes to support farmers, including the distribution of improved seeds, seedlings, and agrochemicals. These efforts aimed to increase food production and availability in the country.
“According to Minister Kyari, the interventions have led to a significant reduction in food prices, which is a welcome development for Nigerians.
“This development is a result of the positive impact of the government’s policies on food security and prices, though some critics may argue that more needs to be done to address the root causes of food insecurity and ensure sustainable food systems in the country.
“We urge Nigerians to appreciate the efforts of this government because President Tinubu inherited a difficult situation in 2023 when he declared a state of emergency on food security, describing it as a “clarion call” to rescue the sector.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came at a time when there was a huge structural default in terms of food security, and that is why he had to declare the clarion call and emergency on food security in July 2023.
“We are happy that Kyari’s comments came as a direct response to President Tinubu’s fresh order to a Federal Executive Council (FEC) committee to “crash food prices” through swift and coordinated measures”. The statement said.
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